Kerygma Magazine February 2016

8/16/2019 Kerygma Magazine February 2016

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No. 308 Vol. 27 FEBRUARY 2016

Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life

HE CAME. HE LEFT.

WHAT NOW?

MARVEL ATPOPE FRANCIS’

TEACHINGS:THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME

COMMUNICATE AND RELATE

Philippines P100US $8.14 AUS $8.14Euro 5.07UK 4.49CDN $7.95SING $9.42HK $51.83RUPIAH 103,000


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PUBLICATIONS,

Are You Ready to Get Rid of theGarbage That You’ve Carried in Your

Heart for Many Years?

Warning: You don’t read this kind of book for entertainment.You read this kind of book because you want a Total Life Overhau

You want a Heart Detox.

• Discover how to dig deep and uproot the poisonous thought habits that have

been buried inside you for long. These dysfunctional thought habits

have given birth to toxic feelings that have robbed you of yourhappiness, health, abundance and future.

• Learn three important steps to help you manage your most

difcult emotions.

• Apply ve powerful handles to take charge of your most toxic

feelings.• Specic and practical instructions on how to overcome bitterness,

pettiness, despair, insecurity, worry and fear.

Are you ready to get rid of the garbage that you’ve carriedinside you for many years?

Are you ready to experience radical healing now?

It’s about time.

Read this inspiring book by bestselling author Bo Sanchez and receive God’s inner healintoday.

For orders, call 725-9999 local 101 to 108or log on to www.kerygmabooks.com


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Sister Aida Manongdo, one of the leaders of the young Charismatic group Te Light of Jesus Family then,prophesied to a 13-year-old Bo Sanchez that he would be preaching God’s Word to the nations.

Serving as God’s lighthouse on earth, the Light of Jesus Family continues to spread God’s life-saving and lifechanging Word even to the peripheries as light travels far and wide, even to the edges, in search for those whoare lost at sea. We shine Jesus’ light to a dark, broken world in search of the truth, for real love, for meaningand direction in life.

As we celebrate 35-25-20 years of ministry, media and mercy, may we continue to shine the Light of Jesuas faithful stewards entrusted with the mission to bring His lost children safely back in the Father’s embraceguiding them towards the right direction, until they reach heaven – their true home.

Experience the Journey with us through the Light of Jesus Coffee Table BookGet it for a minimal donation to our media ministry

Call 725-9999 locals 101-108 for more information. Shine His light

PUBLICATIONS, IN

K E R

YG M A


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You probably know my story. My past was bad. I got abused as a child and I fell into all

sorts of addictions. I fell into sin and couldn’t get out. For many long years, I got really

broken. I was ruled by shame and insecurities. I was so messed up.

But I thank God I went through that because I understand the sinner who seeks

God. Because of what I went through, my life and my mission is completely fixated

on welcoming every kind of sinner in this world.

Here’s what I noticed: Religious leaders who have been broken accept broken people. This

is one of the reasons why we accept anyone in the Light of Jesus Family — adulterers, thieves,

prostitutes, drug addicts, alcoholics, gamblers, perverts…. (They’re all sinners like me!)

Let me declare this from the rooftops: My little community is 100 percent for the

unchurched.

Here’s an insight from another preacher named Steven Furtick. If you found Jesus just

last week at The Feast (that’s what we call our prayer meeting), then that was the last time thiscommunity was for you. After you found Jesus, The Feast is no longer for you. You’re no longer

my target. You’re no longer my market. You’re no longer my audience. You’re no longer my

customer. You should be my coworker now!

Let me share with you a powerful story…

When I was in Sydney, I heard Joyce Meyer share the moving story of her life.

As a child, Joyce was sexually abused by her own father. Because it was a pattern and

would happen at specific days of the week, Joyce knows how many times he abused her —

her father molested her for more than 200 times. And sadly, her mother let him.

Joyce grew up from that horrible past, gave her life to Jesus, and went on to preach

the Gospel. And God asked her to forgive her father — which she did. Twice, she mustered

courage and told her father that she forgave him — but in both times, he denied ever doing

anything wrong.

But one day, God asked her to follow the Bible when it says, “If your enemy is hungry, feedhim; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” (Romans 12:20).

Her parents lived far from the city and they were growing old. That was when God

spoke to her heart, “Buy a house for them in the city near you, so you can take care

of them.” She couldn’t believe what she heard. But she obeyed. She bought a nice

house for them and cared for them.

For 30 years, her father never said “I’m sorry” to Joyce. One day, three years after

they moved into their new house, her mother called up and said, “Can you visit your

dad? He has been crying nonstop every day for three weeks.” So Joyce visited him. And

this is what her father said, “For the past three years, I’ve been wanting to say this to

you. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I did to you when you were a child. I didn’t know it was

going to do so much harm.” Joyce learned that her father’s family was incestuous. It’s true

that hurting people hurt people.

The next Sunday, Joyce brought him to church and he gave his life to Jesus. Joyce saidshe thought she was buying a house. Actually, she was buying a soul.

Growing up, Joyce went through horrific pain — a pain that God never intended her to

have. But it was a pain that shaped her in a way that made her stronger, better and wiser.

Today, Joyce Meyer is being used by God to heal thousands of broken women who have

also been abused.

What pain have you gone through? I believe that your purpose is connected to your

pain.

Remember… “nothing just happens.”

May your dreams come true,

Wh I H t GTrug M P

by Bo Sanchez

T Bo

y

KERYGMA FEBRUARY 2016


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Mlr

CONNECT WITH US!EMAIL: [email protected]

OR SEND TO: The Editor, 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City

Website: www.kerygmabooks.com

Landline: 725-9999, 470-4091, 881-3082

Mobile: 0923-378-4941

kerygmabooks

FOR SUBSCRIPTION-RELATED CONCERNS:

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 0922-814-7031 (Sarah Discutido)

Landline: 725-9999 locals 101 to 108


I am very much grateful to Kerygma because

it ills me with so much hope and inspiration.

Every time I read the stories of the contributors, I

become motivated and eager to attend The Feast

as well. I pray that sooner or later I can also join the

celebration at The Feast.

I thank God that He used my aunt as an

instrument to introduce me to this magazine.

Jen

Ilocos Sur

I always read Kerygma magazine during my leisure

time. I am inspired by its articles. “Choosing God’sPath” from the November 2013 issue is one of my

favorites. I love reading this magazine. Thank you,

Shepherd’s Voice Publications, for inspiring and

motivating many people.

Keep up the good work. Thank you very much

and God bless!

Dr. Joy Kenneth Sala Biasong

Cebu City

Thank you, Kerygma, for the 25 years

that you have been blessing the reading

public. I am especially grateful because this

magazine has been one of my companions

in my spiritual journey.

I pray for more blessings for Bo and the

entire Kerygma team!

Gaye B.

Project 8, Quezon City

Your November 2015 issue reached me at

the time that I needed it most. I have been

struggling with debts brought about by myson’s rehabilitation from drug dependency.

I have hope now that I can get out of my

situation and that God will soon lead me to

inancial freedom.

Thank you, Kerygma!

Gracia R.

Silang, Cavite


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Jus BrethLiving by Grace

T

here were three kids trying to

outdo each other.

Kid #1 said, “My grandma

waited 10 years before she

found her One True Love.And after 10 years, she met a handsome

actor. That’s why my grandfather is Eddie

Gutierrez.

Kid #2 said, “Oh, that’s nothing

compared to my grandma. She waited 20

years before she found her One True Love.

And after 20 years, she met a super rich

businessman. That’s why my grandfather

is Henry Sy.”

Kid #3, not to be outdone, said, “Oh,

that’s nothing compared to my grandma.

She waited 50 years before she found her

One True Love. And after 50 years, she

met St. Peter!”

For single people, waiting for

your lifetime partner can sometimes

feel like forever. I know. It felt like

an eternity for me. It’s the hardest

thing to do because it feels like

nothing is happening when

you are waiting.

Once, I had a final

casting for a soft drink

commercial. I had a date

with my girlfriends buthad to leave before they

watched a movie to get

to my appointment

on time. You can just

imagine the regret

I had after having

to wait two and half

hours for my turn. I

could have stayed and

watched the movie

with my girlfriends and

I’d still have made it to

Are you waiting in the desert?

By Rissa Singson Kawpeng

When It Feels Like Nothing’s Happening

the casting!

But the woman who sat beside me

during that long wait opened up her life

to me. She caught her husband having

an affair. He showed no remorse. After 13years of marriage, she’s now undergoing

an annulment. Her once-perfect princess-

like life was suddenly shattered. I shared

about the Lord to her and began to pray

for her daily.

See? Nothing is wasted in the Lord.

Waiting for His plan to unfold can

transform us into a people of growing

faith. The story of Moses is a testament of

this. He stayed in the desert for 40 years

before he became Prince

of Egypt. Then he killed

an Egyptian whom he

saw was abusing an

Israelite. When people

found out, he fled to

the desert. He spent

the next 40 years

in the desert as a

shepherd. He was

80 when the Lord

spoke to him from a

burning bush and

told him to lead His

people to freedom.Because

Moses stayed in

the desert and

learned what

he could

there, he

not only

found

a wife

and family but was also honed into the

kind of servant that God could use to

liberate His people.

Sometimes we want to cut short ou

time in the desert. When we come froma breakup, we want to jump right into

another relationship. When we’re facing

a tough challenge, we want to get over

right away. We are not able to digest an

reflect on the lessons that God wants us

to learn because we want to hurry out o

that painful place of waiting.

But our God is the God of the Now.

You may be waiting in one area of

your life, but what can you do now in th

other areas?

The lessons we learn in the desert a

required stock knowledge when we rea

the Promised Land.

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious

to you, and therefore he exalts himself

to show mercy to you. For the Lord is

a God of justice; blessed are all those

who wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18)

Email me at [email protected] or

follow me on Facebook.

What to Expect This Month

It’s the love month, and if you’re

single and praying to find your

lifetime partner, the One True Love

Club can help you prepare and make

wise choices in dating. Get tons of

resources and support you need at

www.onetrueloveclub.com. Sign

up today!


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[email protected]

742 VICTORIA ST.

INTRAMUROS MANILA 1001

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chairman of the board and CEO BO SANCHEZ • president HERMIE R. MORELOS • vice-president for corporate services WENG CEQUEÑA • assistant vice-president for production RISSA KAWPENproduction manager TESS V. ATIENZA • sales and marketing manager JOSEPH MARTINEZKerygma. A Greek word meaning “Proclamation of the Gospel.” It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool for all nations, providing Scriptural, practiand orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those in the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also committed to fostering the renewal and unof the whole Christian people. Philippine copyright Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc. 2016. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission. Published monthly

Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tel.: (632) 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190, 470-40and 881-3082 (Production Department). Fax: 727-5615. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.kerygmabooks.com

founder and publisher BO SANCHEZ • editor-in-chief RISSA SINGSON KAWPENG • managing editor TESS V. ATIENZA • assistant managing editor MAYMAY SALVOSA • creative director MIKE CORTEassistant layout artist LEAH KIM RECTO • graphics director REY DE GUZMAN • sta writers MARJORIE DUTERTE, KARREN RENZ SEÑA, DINA PECAÑA • contributing writers JUDITH CONCEPCION, DWIGCASTILLO, KRIZELLE TALLADEN, KIRAE GENECIRAN, FR. BENNY TUAZON, DWIGHT CASTILLO • photographer DANIEL SORIANO • columnists MICHELE ALIGNAY, BOGGS BURBOS, DEAN PAX LAPIDproduction assistant ANGIE ESPUERTA

© iStock.com/Nico_Campo

Pope Francis’ visit to the

Philippines in January 2015

was phenomenal. People

followed and waited on him at

every place he went to. People

listened to his every talk,

every homily.It’s now 2016. Do we still

follow and listen to every word

he utters? More so, do we live

out the words we so readilyapplauded then?

The Bo FilesPoint of Contact

The BossWHY I HAD TO GO

THROUGH MY PAIN

1

48

Mailroom

Daily Pause

New You

Real Stuff

Kfam Insider

GIVING LOVE LIKE NEVER

BEFORE

Dear K

Feast Snapshots

THE BIRTH OF THE NEWEST

FEAST IN THE EAST

It Happened

FROM ASHES TO NEW LIFE

One Last Story

A GIFT WORTH THE WAIT47

19

17

2

6

8

9

10

13

Departments

Februar 2016

IntroductionIN LOLO KIKO’S WORDS

Teaching

YOU CAN’T WIN OTHERS TO CHRIST

WITH A LONG FACE

Testimony

A KISS FROM HEAVEN

Teaching

WHO ELSE, IF NOT US?

Teaching

WHEN WILL WE EVER LEARN?

Teaching

ON MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION:

POPE FRANCIS’ PRINCIPLES THAT

WILL MAKE YOU UNFOLLOW HIM

33

36

31

30

25

23

Special Section

Catholic Soul

CHRISTMAS 2015

Columns

3

45

Just Breathe

WHEN IT FEELS LIKE

NOTHING’S HAPPENINGSeasons

THAT THING CALLED “CRUSH”

K Preacher

DON’T MIND THE HEART

Faith @ Work

MY HEART FOR TEACHING

41

43


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1

7

13

19

25 2726

20 21

14 15

8 9

2 3

“Jesus wants to talk with each o us

about our lives, our real situations,

so that nothing is kept rom Him.”

“Parents, can you ‘waste time’ with

your children? It is one o the mostimportant things that you can do

each day.”

“God blesses human love. It is

He who joins the hearts o tw

people who love one another

in unity and indissolubility. Tshows us that the goal o conj

lie is not simply to live togeth

or lie, but to love one anothe

lie!”

“Moments o suffering and conflict

are or God occasions o mercy.

Today is a time o mercy!”

“This is the temptation: a ‘spirituality o

illusion’: We can walk through the deserts

o humanity without seeing what is really

there; instead, we see what we want to see.A aith that does not know how to root

itsel in the lie o people remains arid and,

rather than oases, creates other deserts.”

“Never allowing ourselves to b

tarnished by pessimism or sin

let us seek and look upon the

glory o God, which shines or

in men and women who are u

alive.”

“Faced with people who seek power

and success in order to be noticed,

who want their achievements

and efforts to be acknowledged,the disciples are called to do the

opposite.”

“Service is the way or authority

to be exercised in the Christian

community. Those who serve

others and lack real prestigeexercise genuine authority in the

Church.”

“Jesus calls us to see things

differently, to pass rom the

thirst or power to the joy o

quiet service, to suppress our

instinctive desire to exercisepower over others, and instea

exercise the virtue o humilit

“Today we experience the paradox o a

globalized world filled with luxurious

mansions and skyscrapers, but a

lessening o the warmth o homes and

amilies; many ambitious plans and

projects, but little time to enjoy them…”

“The number o people who eel

lonely keeps growing, as does the

number o those who are caught

up in selfishness, gloominess,

destructive violence and slavery

to pleasure and money.”

“People are less and less seriou

about building a solid and ruit

relationship o love: Love which

is lasting, aithul, conscientiou

stable and ruitul is increasing

looked down upon, viewed as aquaint relic o the past.”

“Today let us ask the Lord that through

the intercession o the Archangel

Michael, we may be protected rom the

snares, the ascination, the seductions

o this ancient serpent called Satan.”

“Like Jesus, the more humble

your service is, the more ruitul

and the more useul it will be or

us all.”

“In your work, pray ofen so tha

the Lord may saeguard you ro

giving in to every temptation,

rom every temptation to

corruption or money, or riches

rom vanity and arrogance.”

Dl Pus wt Pp Frnci



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28 29

23 2422

181716

10 11 12

4 5 6“Jesus does not answer (the devil)

with His own words; He answers

in the words o Scripture, all three

times. One cannot dialogue with thedevil, and this helps so much when

temptation comes: I will not speak

to you; only through the Word o the

Lord.”

“Jesus believes in us, more than we

believe in ourselves.”

“Only an encounter with

Jesus gives a person thestrength to ace the most

difficult situations.”

“This is God’s dream or His beloved

creation: to see it ulfilled in the

loving union between a man anda woman, rejoicing in their shared

journey, ruitul in their mutual gif

o sel.”

“Let us ask God to turn to us with

His healing and saving gaze,

which knows how to radiate light,as it recalls the splendour which

illuminates it.”

“Jesus is the Servant o the Lord.

His lie and death, marked by

an attitude o utter service (c.Phil 2:7), were the cause o our

salvation and the reconciliation

o mankind with God.”

“Jesus shows us that He enjoys

dominion because He is a servant,

glory because He is capable o

abasement, kingship because He isully prepared to lay down His lie.”

“There can be no compatibility

between a worldly understanding

o power and the humble service

which must characterize authorityaccording to Jesus’ teaching and

example.”

“All o us can receive the charity

which flows rom Christ’s open

heart, or ourselves but also or

others, and become “channels”

o His love and compassion,especially or those who are

suffering, discouraged and alone.”

“God made men and women or

happiness, to share their journey with

someone who complements them, to

live the wondrous experience o love:

to love and to be loved, and to see

their love bear ruit in children.”

“The Church is called to carry

out her mission in fidelity, truth

and love… conscious o her

duty to seek out and care or

hurting couples with the balm o

acceptance and mercy.”

“Corruption is everywhere: or two

pence many people sell their soul,

sell their happiness, sell their lie,

sell everything. This also always

happens to us all in small things:

we are too attached to riches, weare pleased when we are praised.”

“May the Lord help us in our daily struggle, but not or

ourselves; the struggle is or the service, because you

are men and women on duty; whose duty is to render a

service to society, a service to others, a service to make

goodness grow in the world.”

“Our lie is not a pointless wandering. We have a

sure goal: the house o the Father.”



12/52

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Charity and love are the same — with charity you give

love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead.” And since it’s the time of

the year where heart-shaped crafts surround us once again, why don’t we give some love b

volunteering to community services, outreach programs and parish activities? Here are som

beneits of volunteerism:

1) New friendships. Volunteering opens you to many friendship opportunities. You mee

people with the same passion and interest as you do. Why exhaust your energy getting

sentimental this Valentine month if you can use it to help and meet others?2) A happier heart. As a volunteer, one cultivates an increased sense of empathy and a

positive shift of priorities. A study from the London School of Economics revealed that

such changes improve a person’s happiness by seven percent. As American author Mar

Twain remarked, “The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up.”

3) A life with signiicance. To live a successful life is one thing; to live a signiicant life is

another. By reaching out to help, especially those who need your presence, skills and

time the most, you are setting an example on how to live meaningfully. The love you

share to others, in whatever way, can empower, impact and inluence their lives big tim

And that goes on forever.

Gather your family and friends now and plan your volunteer activity. It’s deinitely one of th

best ways to celebrate the love month!

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Quick Health TipSeaweeds

Seaweeds or sea vegetables are very good source

o vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C, and pantothenic

acid. They are rich in minerals especially iodine,

manganese, zinc, potassium, and copper. The

combination o minerals packed in seaweeds

are hardly ound in other vegetable groups. Sea

vegetables, which are not limited to nori alone,

can detoxiy our body, help fight constipation, and

prevent thyroid problems.

Source: http://www.whfoods.com/

VOLUNTEER. SERVE. LOVE

SURPRISINGLY

COMMON

WAYS TO SAVE

MONEYPractical Tips We Ofte

Overlook

New YTips for Personal Development

1) Practice the 30-day rule. It’s one o the most unpopular but

very essential rules in finance. When you have an urge to buy

something, hold the desire or 30 days. During the waiting

period, you’ll be able to weigh i such purchase is really

necessary.

2) Know the essentials. This isn’t only or the shopping list and

house expenses, but more importantly in our relationships.

Instead o spending a lot o money to buy expensive stuff

or the kids or throwing big parties, remember that nothing

compares to the time you spend with the people you love.It’s good to give gifs and hang out once in a while, but keep in

mind that we cannot base the quality o our relationships on

the amount o money we dish out to offset what’s really asked

o us — our presence.

3) Go for water. While most people opt to have soda and coffee

when eating out, water is still the best resource to combat

dehydration and to cleanse our body. You will not only save

your body rom illnesses, you’ll also cut back your meal

expense.

Source: http://www.thesimpledollar.com



13/52KERYGMA FEBRUARY 2016

THREEPOLITICALHOPEFULS

YOU SHOULDNOT VOTE

Re Stuff

Saints-at-a-Glance

St. Barbatus of Benevento

Born and Died: 610, Italy – 682, Benevento, Italy

Feast Day: February 19

Barbatus was born in Italy and was ordained as priest in Marcona. He drew people

in by his zealous preaching. When he was sent to Benevento, he converted many

pagan worshipers to Catholicism. In 663, the city was besieged by Byzantine Empero

Constans. Barbatus prophesied and assured the people that the violence would stop

It happened just as he declared, and soon he was conerred as bishop o the city. He

died on February 29 and is now known as the patron saint o Benevento.

Source: www.catholic.org

While commercial

centers primp their

places with Valentine

decorations, the entire

archipelago is teeming

with election posters,

color-coded banners, and

big tarpaulins. Campaign

season, as always,

proves to be a rowdy and

dramatic period.

With all the charges

and counter-charges, debates and public appearances, suggested

accusations and implied emotional appeals that bombard us

every day, here are some helpful guides in discerning whom to

entrust your vote.

Let’s simplify our decision-making with this list and be

vigilant enough not to let anyone with the following traits take a

seat in public oice:

1. Someone who is biased and gets swayed easily. A leader

should know how to keep an open mind and listen to what

reliable sources have to say. His or her decisions should not

be driven by personal views and interest but by impartial

causes. Further, he or she must be able to stand irm for the

public’s welfare and not move as dictated by political allies.

2. Someone who loves to play the blame game. Our nation deserves

accountable leaders. With the power that comes in our vote, it’s time

to stop hearing the endless attacks that traditional politicians throw

against each other. We can and should put people who will use their

time in solving the problems, not on highlighting the ineffectiveness of

their opponents without actually doing something to help.3. Someone who gives more value to politics than morals. While the

nation calls out for competent, results-oriented, and charismatic leaders,

may we not forget that honesty, respect for others and for human

life, and integrity should have more value. If someone running for a

government post can set aside his or her morals for political ambitions,

be warned. We need more people of character. It’s alarming to entrust

our country’s future to someone who can

steal, kill, speak ill of others, and violate law

just to demonstrate how powerful he or sh

can be.

We still have a few months to study

our options. Let us not ignore the power,opportunity and responsibility that we have

in our hands. Let’s be the people we want our

leaders to be — irm and objective, accountable

and trustworthy.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/



14/52

GIVING LOVE

LIKE NEVER

BEFORE FEAST ALABANG TOWN CENTER

VISITS HE CARES FOUNDATION

Kf Insder

By Kirae Geneciran

Photos by Chie Hernandez and Kirae Geneciran



15/52

”Give thanks with a grateful heart.Give thanks to the Holy One.

Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son. And now, let the weak say I am strong.Let the poor say I am rich.

Because of what the Lord has done, give thanks.” - “ Give Thanks” by Don Moen

Iwould always hear this classic, old praise song being

sung in church and in various community gatherings,

but I’ve never heard it so beautiful and heartfelt than

when it was sung last November 30, 2015 with the

children of He Cares Foundation. The home was filled

with resounding voices of love, gratitude and worship to

God.

That beautiful Monday, we, the servants and Light

Group members of Feast Alabang Town Center, left our

abode south of Manila and traveled all the way to the north

of the metropolis to spend time with 100 precious children

of God at He Cares, a streetchildren caring center.

Feast Alabang Town Center has been blessing God’s

people in Alabang for nearly three years now. Just last

July, we were granted the biggest blessing of having the

Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every Sunday at The Feast. Truly,

God has been so gracious and faithful to our family. We

just couldn’t contain the love that’s overflowing, and this

outreach was something we had all been looking forward

to.

No holiday could stop us from being a channel ofGod’s love to the streetchildren, even for just a day. Upon

arrival, we were welcomed by the people of He Cares

Foundation who were busy preparing the venue as well as

the food. Some rushed to the kitchen to help, while most

of us started bringing in the goods and sacks of rice we

brought for the foundation.

Our excitement grew even more as He Cares founder

Joe Dean Sola welcomed all of us. He shared the story of

how He Cares started. Imagine, from feeding two street

kids who went up to him when he was young, his desire

to help has now built a new and bigger home for the

streetchildren. He’s been changing lives one plate at a time fo

20 years now. It was such a moving testimony and we were a

blessed to witness him in action.As the kids started to come in, we sat and mingled with

them. The program started with worship and we sang worshi

song like “How Great Is Our God” and “Your Grace Is Enough,”

which the kids surprisingly knew so well. To see these childre

raising their hands to God was a lovely sight.

Following the worship, the children were led to a dance

exercise. And of course, we couldn’t spare the children from a

the fun and energy, so the loving teachers of the Awesome K

Ministry led the children into a few games.

The children were all hyper after the games, but when

Joe Dean started to pray, they calmed down and listened to

him. He led us to prayer before meals by singing the song

“Give Thanks.” The children sang at the top of their lungs. Thatmoment was so pure and sincere that it moved most of us

servants to tears.

Even though these children went crazy during the games

we saw how Joe Dean and the He Cares family were able to

teach and discipline them. As we were prepared the garage

for lunch, the children rushed to the washing area where the

servants helped them wash their hands. Then we sat with all

100 of them for lunch. And as we bid them goodbye, we gave

each of them loot bags with lots of treats inside.

It was such a fruitful and fulfilling day, and seeing their

lovely smiles was priceless. Most of them longed for the touch

of our very hands, wanting to be hugged and carried. I realize

then that we could give them our undivided attention or lots

treats, but no other gift can compare to love. By holding them

and carrying them, I’m sure that we made them feel the love

Christ.

How fulfilling it truly is to give thanks to God by giving lo

and blessing others. May we all continue to give love like nev

before.

If you would like to share your time with the kids at He Cares Foundation

contact Joe Dean or Ardis at (02)928-8910. He Cares is located at No. 9,

Mines St., Barangay Vasra, Project 6, Quezon City.



16/52

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Tel. No.: (632) 757-0181 to 86Fax No.: (632) 757-0191Website: www.cwc.com.phEmail Add: [email protected]

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G/F Citibank Tower Unit B,Valero cor. Villar Sts., Salcedo VillageMakati City, Philippines

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Trunkline.: (632) 714-1115Fax No.: (632) 715-6331

Website: www.cwcindustries.comEmail Add: [email protected]

G/F CWC Bldg.,#2 Zaragosa cor. Palanza Sts.

Quezon City, Philippines

CITIMEX

Tel. No.: (632) 714-1115Fax No.: (632) 715-9439

Website: www.citimex.com.phG/F CWC Bldg.,

#2 Zaragosa cor. Palanza Sts.Quezon City, Philippines

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Tel. No.: (632) 637-0942 to 47Fax No.: (632) 637-3196

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Philippine Stock Exchange CentreExchange Road, Ortigas Center

Pasig City, Philippines


17/52

HOW CAN I STOP FROM COMMITTING SIN WITH MY BOYFRIEND?

Der K

I’m 17 years old and currently in

a relationship. Although I know

that engaging in premarital sex

is wrong based on our Christian

belief, my boyfriend and I have

done it several times now. I’ve

wanted us to stop doing it, but

we always end up giving in to

the temptation. It has become

habitual and we are so used to

being intimate that I am afraid we

are committing tremendous sin

already.

Can God still forgive us? What

should I do to avoid doing it again

with my boyfriend?

We both love each other. It’s

just that we get tempted and fail to

do what is right. Please give me some advice.

I will wait for your response. God

bless!

Jessa

Dear Jessa,

I’m glad that you’re seeking help regarding your struggle. You’re so young

and you have so many things to look orward to — especially in the area o

relationships.

My advice or you won’t be easy, but I assure you that i you ollow it, you

will be set ree rom this sin. Jesus said in Matthew 5:2930, “So i your eye — even

your good eye — causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better or

you to lose one part o your body than or your whole body to be thrown into

hell. And i your hand — even your stronger hand — causes you to sin, cut it off

and throw it away. It is better or you to lose one part o your body than or your

whole body to be thrown into hell.”

The only sure way you can break away rom this sin is to break up with

your boyriend and cut your ties with him. I give you this advice because you’re

still young and have many more things you should be busy about than being

in a relationship — especially a sexual one. Pour your energies into loving the

Lord, studying well, making lots o riends, learning new skills, having hobbies

and volunteering or worthy causes. This will expand your world and make you

a better person so that when the time is ripe and God brings the right man into

your lie, you would be the right woman or him too.

Praying or you,

Rissa

Rissa Singson Kawpeng has been proclaiming God’s Word

through radio, TV and print media for over two decades.

She has served extensively in youth and singles ministries

and is an inspiration to many in living godly lives.

Rissa has written five books, the latest of which is

Audience of One. Visit www.kerygmabooks.com for orders.

Email your questions to [email protected]. Or if you need to talk to someone, call (632) 726-4709 or 726-6728 to contact a Light of

Jesus Pastoral Care Center counselor. Pastoral counseling by tel ephone is 24 hours from Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on S aturdays. Face-to-face pastoral counseling is by appointment. For correspondence pastoral counseling, email [email protected] or go to www.kerygmafamily.

com.

Or Call (632) 725-9999Pregnant? Confused? Abortion is not the answer. Contact Grace to Be Born at 654-1377. You may also contact Pro-life Philippines at (632) 733-7027.


18/52KERYGMA FEBRUARY 201614


19/52

MY NONCATHOLIC FRIENDS QUESTION OUR FAITH

My family and I have been

attending The Feast Alabang for

almost four months now. I never

imagined that we could experience

and learn this much and I’m very

grateful for that. I just have some

questions and I’m wondering if you

could help me.

I have friends from Jehovah’sWitness and they have questions

about our faith that I don’t know

how to answer. They asked the

following: (1) why do we use images

in our churches, and (2) why God

allows pain and suffering.

Hope you could guide me as

I walk deeper into knowing God’s

Word and His love for us.

Belen

Dear Belen,You are really blessed by your

experiences during the weekly

Feast. Thank the Lord or this and

ask Him to continue enlightening

you and leading you to an ever

deeper aith in and love or Him.

The questions your riends ask are

answered so many times already

but non-Catholics continue to ask

them and ofen conuse Catholics.

Der K

When Fr. Rudy Horst came to the Philippines in 1984, he was rst assigned to the Immaculate

Conception Parish in Cubao. It was where he came in contact with the still young Light of Jesus Family.

In 1990, he moved to Christ the King Mission Seminary, where he now ser ves as head spiritual director

of the seminarians and teaches Religious Education. He also teaches Holy Scriptures at the Maryhill

School of Theology and the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay.

1. Why do we have images? God prohibited in the first o the Ten Commandments

to worship them. In other words, He prohibits idolatry, replacing Him with idols.

But He did not prohibit making images in general. In Exodus 25, God told Moses to

ashion the images o two cherubims and place them on the Ark o the Covenant.

In Numbers 21, God told Moses to make a bronze serpent to be looked at or

healing. So, it is very much OK with God to have images.

Also, we keep photos o our loved ones to remind us o them and eel close to

them. Who could be closer to us and more loved than the Mother o Jesus and the

saints who are in heaven?

2. Why does God allow pain and suffering? This is a great mystery. Even St. John

Paul II struggled with this problem in his 1984 Apostolic Letter Salvifici Dolores

(On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering). That “why” question goes back to

thousands o years ago. It was asked in the Old Testament by Job and the writers

o the Psalms. Why do bad things happen to good people? Even the innocent

Son o God asked this question when He was hanging on the Cross, “My God, My

God, why have You orsaken me?” I you ask me or any other person the question

“why?” the only answer I can honestly give consists o our words — “I do not

know.” I don’t have God’s mind. First Corinthians 13:12 says, “Now we see things

imperectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything

with perect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will

know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”I hope these answers help you to answer your Jehova’s

Witnesses riends. You can call me through Shepherd’s

Voice i you want some more help.

Fr. Rudy



20/52

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21/52

L

ike the sun rising in the east, a

dream was born. The sudden

growth o The Feast Bluewave-

Marikina led to the search or an

alternate, bigger place that wouldcater to more people in and around

Marikina City. But this dream turned

out to be impossible to achieve. Feast

Bluewave builder Monching Bueno

and his team had been eyeing Sta.

Lucia East Grand Mall because o its

perect location — the intersection o

Marikina, Cainta, Pasig and Antipolo.

But when they inquired with the mall

administration, the high rental cost o

one o the cinemas discouraged them.

They couldn’t afford it.

In Lower Antipolo, a mission Feastdied. But the ew who remained aithul

to this Feast continued to gather like a

caring group. One day, they convinced

their good riend to open a Feast in a

mall that he owns — none other than

Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall.

Eventually, Woody Quiros, the

District Builder o Rizal, surprised

Monching that they could already

organize a Feast in Sta. Lucia. The

owner said yes to the call. They only

had to pay or electricity. They could

incorporate The Feast in the already-

established anticipated Mass every

Sunday in Cinema 5. The dying dream

was brought back to lie. What seemed to

be impossible at first led to the birth o thenewest Feast in the east — Feast Sta. Lucia!

The Birthday of Feast Sta. Lucia

On the evening o September 26, 2015,

The Feast Sta. Lucia (FSL) held its

grand launch, attended by more than a

thousand people, filling up not just the

main cinema but also the seats in the

balcony. Monching recalled how little

time they had to announce the new

event, but praise God or the support o

the attendees and servants o The Feast

Bluewave and also the endorsement oRev. Fr. Giovanni Yago, the parish priest o

Our Lady o Fatima Parish in Greenpark

Village, Cainta.

Father Vanni, as he is ondly called,

presided over the anticipated Mass

during the grand launch o FSL. The

Gospel that day talked about Jesus

reminding His disciples that “whoever is

not against us is or us” (Mark 9:40).

Afer the Holy Mass, the servants

rom The Feast Bluewave took over in

leading the praise and worship. Obet

Fea Snpsht

Cabrillas, the builder o Feast Manila

and Feast Valle Verde, was the guest

preacher or that day. His talk, taken

rom the series “TGIF: Thank God I’m

Filipino,” emphasized that Filipinosshould ocus on their innate qualitie

such as godliness, lovingkindness,

riendliness and hospitality.

Monching gave an inspiring and

powerul talk aferwards, expressing

his great gratitude and excitement

that their dream to open a Feast in St

Lucia has become a reality. He noted

“They said the sun rises in the east...

Today, not just the sun is rising rom

our area but the Son o God!”

Many regular and new Mass-

goers, especially amilies, were great blessed by this warm and loving

experience in FSL. Monching, in an

interview, expressed his confidence

that by God’s grace, this baby Feast

will have more regular attendees and

home-grown servants.

Come and experience God’s love in the newe

Feast in the East every Saturday, 7 p.m.,

Cinema 5, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall. Also

check out the schedule o The Feast near yo

Visit ww w.lightam.com.


THE NEWEST

FEAST IN THE

EAST

By Krizelle R. Talladen

Photos by Von Dela Vega

and Rey P. De Guzman


22/52

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23/52

By Geraldine Samson

as told to Marjorie Duterte

From Ashes

to New Life True Love Heals

lone in my hotel room, away rom prying eyes, I wept.

I was ripped off o everything I was attached to afer my

marriage ell apart. I elt that the shattered pieces o mysel

were powdered like fine salt. The agony, the despair and the

brokenness, they were beyond words. I was exhausted romtrying to prove my worth.

“God, help me, save me!” my soul cried out. In that

abyss, peace beyond understanding suddenly rose rom

within me. I said, “God, i this is the price I have to pay to

experience this kind o peace I’ve been looking or all

my lie, I accept it.”

I Hppene



24/52

Glass Half-Empty

I was born to a prominent couple in

Baguio. My dad was a dentist and my

mom, a proessor. Baguio was just a

small town. Everyone knew everybody.

Growing up, I imbibed other people’s ear,

“Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng mga tao?”

(What would people say?)

My parents were already havingtrouble in their marriage even beore

my our other siblings were born. There

were times when my mom would ask me

where my dad and I went. At six years old,

I didn’t know that it was the place where

the girlriend o my dad was. Next thing

I knew was that they would be fighting

behind closed doors. My dad would yell

and my mom would cry. I figured it was

something I said. I ended up blaming

mysel and consequently watching

what I had to say. I didn’t know that I was

touching on issues that weren’t mine.

We were brought up with a lot o

criticisms. There was always something

missing in us. My mom and other aunts

were also raised that way. Although they

were coming rom good intentions, the

distorted thinking was that i you were

praised, your head might swell. We

weren’t taught to appreciate ourselves.

Looking in the mirror was considered

vain. I couldn’t look at it without

criticizing mysel.

The only way to deal with my

many ears was to be as perect as

possible. I couldn’t commit mistakes

because that would devalue my worth

as a person. I depended my worth on

what I did.I just had to keep on giving more

because i you don’t, you’re considered

selfish. I thought that to be loved, you

have to deserve it. And that conused

me when I was a kid. I always elt that

to be enough, one had to do more and

be more.

When I turned 10, my parents

separated. I already had a hal-sister

by then. It affected me so much that

I thought i I was a good daughter I

could bring them back together again.

In my child’s mind, I thought I was

responsible or their separation.

Just to prove to people that

coming rom a broken home didn’t

mean that I was broken too, I tried

hard to be a good daughter, sister and

student. I wanted to be accepted and

to belong. I thought that i I just tried

harder and be good, people would

stop talking. I didn’t know then that I

couldn’t control their speech. No matt

what I did, it was never enough.

I became the “super firstborn,

surrogate parent” to my siblings. I

identified mysel with the role o “the

ate” (eldest sister) so much, I orgot tha

my siblings will grow up and eventual

have minds o their own.When I was 18, I went through a

crisis that I wanted to take my lie. I

had no identity o my own. Whatever

people would say, that’s who I was.

My siblings no longer needed me. My

dad had his own lie already. My mom

remarried. I asked mysel, “Who am I?

What am I here or?”

What kept me rom taking my ow

lie was that I realized God must have

purpose or me. God gave me this lie,

have no right to take it away.

Fear vs. Love

I was 25 years old when I got married.

knew what it was like to have a broken

amily. I told mysel, “I’m not going to le

the same things happen because I don

want my children to experience the

same things I went through.”

My husband also came rom a

broken amily. I thought here’s a pers

who could understand me because

he’s been through it. What I ailed to

realize was that when you get marrieyou bring your amily with you. They

may not be living with you but you

take along your messed-up history.

There’s a great chance that the patter

will repeat itsel unless there’s healin

I told one o my counselor-riend

about how we decided to get married

not wanting the same things to happe

to us. He said, “Ang baba ng standards

mo” (You have low standards).

It was only when my marriage w

ailing when I realized what he mean

entered marriage coming rom a spaco lack. I kept trying to make up or it.

But it was never going to be enough

no matter how hard I tried. It makes a

difference — ºthe space you’re comin

rom. I wanted to raise my kids and

have a solid amily just because that’s

what a amily is — children growing

up with both parents there. I had goo

intentions o not wanting the same

things to happen again but that’s reall

coming rom a low standard.

Geraldine believes that lie is beautiul, that everything is a gif, and that nature reflects

God’s goodness and beauty.



25/52

I was coming rom a space o

ear o repeating the same mistakes.

I thought that marriage could also be

an avenue or healing but it’s a tougher

road to take. It’s more challenging.

I realized that one needs to have

a good relationship with one’s sel

first. I you’re coming rom a space o

wholeness, rom the ullness o who

you are inside, you will know your

boundaries and you will not expect

or demand anything rom the person.

When you just do things out o love,

you don’t expect things. When the love

or the avor goes back to you, it’s just

icing on the cake.

I also thought that the best thing

parents could give their children was

a good education. I realized the best

gif I could give them was who I am as

a person.

Burning Inside

I had psoriasis due to a lot o stress

in the marriage. My immune system

went down. In 2011, I had Stevens-

Johnson syndrome, a rare lie-

threatening skin condition. Only two

to six people out o a million get it. I

was taking supplements and I didn’t

know I was allergic to some o its

ingredients.

When I woke up one Monday, I

had turned purple. I couldn’t ingest

anything and I elt weak. I elt like I had

no bones. My symptoms were similar

to that o a burnt victim, except that

the burnt victim gets burned rom the

outside. I was burning inside, such that

my skin started to crust and turned

raw.

But there was a tree outside my

window and I’d look and appreciate

it. You don’t ofen get to see trees in

hospitals. It reminded me o what I

believed in ever since

I was a child, that

despite all the pain

I experienced, lie is

beautiul. I became

one o the astest

recovering patients

in the hospital.

Life Finds a Way

A year afer my

sickness, I was at the

Good Shepherd’s

convent. I asked,

“God, what does it

mean to accept, to

love more ully, and

not have to prove

anything?”

While I looked at the trees and the

plants, it dawned on me. “Look at that

simple flower, it doesn’t have to prove its

beauty and yet people admire it. People

pass by it, they may not even notice it,

but its beauty doesn’t ade. People may

not even like it but it remains unazed. Its

basic goodness is there. It doesn’t have to

try so hard.”There was also a lea that was makin

its way through a crack in the cement.

Lie always finds a way even as simple

as a blade o grass. It is still beautiul. It

has a purpose. Nothing is ever wasted.

Everything in my lie is a gif, even the

pain.

I was programmed to think I was

not good enough. But the truth is, I am

already ull and complete. My goodness

is inherent. I am made in the image and

likeness o God. I don’t have to try so hard

“In my brokenness, I ound my

wholeness,” I wrote to the kind Dr. Tony

Protacio who provided the hotel room I

stayed in afer my separation. It was when

everything ell apart and I had nothing to

cling to, that peace rose rom within me,

the wholeness that I’ve been looking or

since I was a child. My lie has come ull

circle.

Now, I am starting anew. With Him, I

am enough. When you have nothing lef

but God, you’ll find that He is enough.

Photo below: Geraldine with ellow Filipino meta-

coaches. Meta-coaching helped Geraldine break re

rom her negative mental programming adapted

rom her childhood. As a licensed meta-coach, she

now helps others overcome their limiting belies to

With L.Michael Hall, Ph.D, co-ounder o International Society o Neuro-Semantics

and the Meta-Coaching System. Metacoaching helps bring out the best o who you

are and empowers you to live the ull lie God intended you to live.



26/52


27/52

Spec SectIntroduction

In Lolo

Kiko’s

WordsMarvel AT

Pope Francis’

Teachings:

the joy of the gospel

care for the

environment

communicatE

AND RELATE

By Bo Sanchez

© iStock.com/neneos


28/52

I love St. Francis of Assisi.In act, when I was 13, I bid goodbye to Superman

as my hero and replaced him with St. Francis.

Why?

Because o his simplicity, humility and

compassion.

Francis, born and raised in a wealthy amily,

lef his riches to ollow Jesus and serve the poor. He

joined them. Asked or alms with them. Lived with

them.

In my attempt to tread upon his heels, I lived

in the slums when I was 15. I played, preached and

prayed with the street people. To make mysel a

perect Francis kalokalike, I wore tattered jogging

pants topped by a dirty-white shirt. It matched well

with my old brown sandals. For consistency, I limited

my number o baths and stopped using deodorants.

No doubt I created a powerul impact that could slay

people. (Ugh, I know it’s not the same odor o sanctity

that the saints had.)

I didn’t do it quite perectly though. St. Francis

kissed a leper when he saw one. Me? The first time I

encountered a leper, I wanted to pretend that I was

Japanese and just bow to him reverently. Or simply

wave at him. Or nod. Anything that could spare me

rom touching him.Thank God, He changed my heart. I love them

now and I see God reflected in their hope-filled eyes.

Why am I telling you this story?

Because three years ago, someone rocked the

Catholic Church and the entire world by being a

living replica o the saint I love the most.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, or whom we Filipinos

ondly call “ Lolo Kiko,” chose Francis as his papal

name in honor o St. Francis o Assisi. Fittingly, our

current Pope embodies the same simplicity, humility

and compassion that his namesake lived out.

Pope Francis kissed the lepers. Embraced the

least. Welcomed back the lost.And in this issue, we will get to know him more

by understanding his teachings. You see, beyond

this man’s gentle smile lies a proound wisdom and

genuine love or others.

Read on and be enlightened about the significant

issues that we ace… in Lolo Kiko’s words.

© iStock.com/Nico_Campo



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By Dwight Christopher Castillo

Pope Francis’“Evangelii Gaudium”(Joy of the Gospel)

Spec Sect

hen Pope Francis visited the

Philippines in January 2015, I

prayed that I would be able to see

him ace to ace.

We were seated outside MOA

Arena during the Meeting with theFamilies. Pope Francis was just 10

meters away when he passed by our

spot in his open popemobile. And he

would stop again and again to bless the

people, to hug and kiss babies. Just a

smile rom him was worth all the hours

o waiting. To me, the experience was

like “God smiled at me!”

YOU CAN’T WIN OTHERS

TO CHRISTWITH A LONG FACE



30/52

This article ocuses on

how he wants to transorm

the Church — and how his

daily actions show us how to

lead others to Jesus as well.

Afer all, when you see how he

relates with people, he portrays

Jesus to us. He loves the poor,

the atheist; he even loves the

sinners and everything that

God created.

One o the greatest Vatican

texts that has ever been written

is the Evangelii Gaudium — The

Joy of the Gospel, penned by

no less than Pope Francis. It is

a remarkable text and it lifsmy heart with joy because it

brings us back to what our true

mission is.

Called to Love the Least, Last

and Lost

Our true purpose in lie is to be

a blessing to others. We are all

called to love, and so we have

the responsibility to become

the ace o Jesus Christ to

others. We need to spread Hislove.

Have you watched movies

wherein one can hear the

thoughts o every person

around him? I we can the

thoughts o people around us, I

am sure we will be bombarded

with problems rom all sides.

And the good Pope says that “to

be happy, we need courage.”

It is difficult to be happywhen we have problems, so

we need courage to be the ace

o hope to someone even i

we have problems. The law o

reciprocity says that whatever

you want to receive, you must

give. Even i there are problems

in lie, you just have to breathe

deep and take courage and be

their sorrows will turn into joy

(John 16:20), and Pope Francisreminds us to be cheerul.

“Consequently, an

evangelizer must never

look like someone who

has just come back rom

uneral.”

– (EG, Article 10)

happy. Everything in lie is temporary

— and only God gives us things that last:

victory, joy and love.

Joy Amidst ProblemsAs believers o God, we are being

constantly challenged. The enemy is

more aware o what we do to achieve

peace, love and joy. We live in a

time wherein we are ed with many

distractions that do not allow us to hear

God’s call. We are at risk to not desire to

do well, to not desire to help the poor,

and to become worldly. We tend to

envy what others have.

“There are Christians whoselives seem like Lent without

Easter.”

– Evangelii Gaudium (Article 6)

Through our personal encounter

with God’s amazing love, we will be

filled with gratitude and love. We are

encouraged to open ourselves to God

and believe that no one is more special

than the other because in God’s eye we

are all equal — saints and sinners alike.

Most o the time, it is us who get

tired to ask Him or orgiveness. But

every time we want to be with God, He

will surely embrace us again back into

His arms. I we are looking or true and

lasting happiness, it can only be ound

in God. Because when we encounter

God in our lives, we let Him bring us

beyond ourselves.

At The Feast, I meet people who are

broken or who eel unworthy, yet they

continue to serve in our ministries. Andwhen I ask them why they still serve,

their answer is simple: “It’s because I

love God!”

That love heals their brokenness,

unworthiness and pain. It never ails.

Why? Because only God can fill up that

empty space in our hearts. By having a

relationship with God, we are restored.

Jesus promised His apostles that



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We have the responsibility

to be joyous and be ministers othe Gospel such that, as people

receive Christ, they receive the joy

we eel in proclaiming the Gospel.

An Inclusive Church

Time and again, we hear Pope

Francis say that our Church must

be one that accepts sinners, the

poor and the sick.

“A Church which goes orth

is a Church whose doors are

open… We have to be like

the ather o the prodigal

son who always keeps hisdoor open or when the son

returns…”

- EG (Article 46)

We have barricaded the walls o

the Church or so long that it’s time

that She needs to become a Mother

with an open heart. “The Church

is not a tollhouse, it is the house o

the Father, where there is a place

or everyone,” says the Pope. We

should look or the people whoare easily despised and who are

always overlooked, especially the

sinners who think there is no more

hope or them, the people who eel

unsatisfied, unhappy and eel they

are stuck in their situation.

“It is our responsibility to

make them realize God

never gets tired o orgiving

us.”

– Pope Francis

There are lots o people who

need our help, people who have

been imprisoned by addiction, sins

and other things in their lie that

prevents them rom having ullness

o lie all it takes is goodness. God

created us all with goodness and

everything He created is good

(see Ephesians 2:10 and Genesis

1:31). We have the responsibility to become the Church — the inclusive

Church — that sees these people

and treat them as our brothers and

sisters in aith.

All we can do is take delight in

evangelizing people. One thing is

or sure about goodness, it has a

pay-it-orward system. Every act o

goodness always tends to spread.

Our good Pope says:

“Goodness always tends

to spread. Every authentic

experience o truth andgoodness seeks by its very

nature to grow within us,

and any person who has

experienced a proound

liberation becomes more

sensitive to the needs

o others. As it expands,

goodness takes root and

develops.”

– EG (Article 9)

When we experience theauthentic goodness o others,

there springs within us a desire

to bless other people with our

goodness as well. When we grow

in goodness, we become more

sensitive to the needs o others.

When we thank the Lord every

day, we will experience Him every

day, too.

Those who have experienced

God become a source o delight

or those who eel discouraged,

hopeless and impatient. When we

experience the love o God, we

must become God’s love to other

people. And rom this act, they

will become God’s love to another

person.

Pope Francis challenges

us to be missionaries o joy

and love. He said, “Challenges

exist to be overcome! Let us be

realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness and our hope-

filled commitment. Let us not

allow ourselves to be robbed o

missionary vigor” (Article 103,

Evangelii Gaudium).

Friend, the uture o the

Church lies in our hands.

© i S t o c k . c o m / n e n e o s



32/52

Spec Sect

a kiss fromheavenn November 2014, my 14-year-old daughter — a child with special needs and multiple

disabilities — was diagnosed to have hyponatremia. It is a lie-threatening condition

which may lead to coma i lef untreated. This is in addition to her battle against

progressive leukemia.

With ear and sadness that I might lose her, I went down on my knees and prayed

like I never prayed beore. I was in deep sorrow just like when I lost my husband to an

accident 12 years ago.

I held on to aith as my only hope. Through all the years that I’ve been a widow

and single parent to my two children, my aith never wavered. Instead, the trials and

tribulations made me stronger. I believe that God is my partner and He will never ail a

leave me.

It is or this reason that I looked orward to Pope Francis’ visit to the country in

January 2015. I promised mysel that I would bring my children along his route becau

just the sight o him would already be a blessing.

Silver Lining

On the day o his arrival in Manila, my riends and I waited on a roadside or several

hours. It paid off when Pope Francis passed us by and waved at us directly. It was enouI

Testimonial

By Elinore Malibiran



33/52

enough to make me cry. For the

next two days — and with my

children, cousins and nephew in

tow — I went back again to where

he was scheduled to pass by. My

heart was filled with joy knowing

that my children were blessed byHis Holiness even rom aar. As

we waited or the Pope to return

rom his short visit to Tacloban, a

middle-aged guy volunteered to

help us carry my daughter on her

wheelchair. Little did I know that he

held the key to God’s surprise or us.

Apparently, the man was the

barangay chairman in the area. He

mentioned that he could help us

get near the gate o the Apostolic

Nunciature where the Pope stayed.

I we got lucky, we would beaccommodated by the Papal guards

and be allowed to get inside.

I was skeptical about his

sincerity at first because I’ve met

people who’ve volunteered to help

but used us instead. So rather than

give him our cell number, we got his

and contacted him that night. To our

disappointment, network signals

were jammed the whole time or

security reasons. We ound out the

ollowing day that he was trying to

call us too.The chairman inormed us that

we had to come at 4 a.m. the next

day so he could help us get closer

to the Pope. I was ecstatic. It was the

silver lining that I was looking or. It

was our first miracle.

Steadfast Hope and a Couple of

Miracles

But my happiness was short-lived.

I received a notice rom the airline

that I work or that I might be

called in just in case people were

needed or the day’s operation. I

was confident though that i it was

God’s will or us to have a personal

encounter with the Pope, He would

move mountains and pave the

way to make it happen. I asked two

o my closest riends to join me in

prayer or that one last chance.

That night, I dreamt o the Pope

alighting rom his open vehicle

walking towards me and my daughter.

When he came to us, he embraced my

daughter. I woke up crying.

At 3 a.m. the ollowing day, I checked

my phone to see i I had to report or work

but there was no message rom the office.

My second miracle! I took it as a sign that we

were to see the Pope upclose finally.

An hour later, we were escorted rom

the barangay chairman’s house to the rontgates o the Apostolic Nunciature. From

the time we lef our house, I was praying

unceasingly that God may give us the grace

to personally meet Pope Francis. The head

o the papal guards got my daughter’s name

and her medical condition. I was oblivious

o my surroundings that I didn’t notice there

were a lot o children in the area hoping or

their miracle, too. But I kept my aith

that since God got us this ar, He wil

make it happen or us.

A ew minutes later, the

security chie went out again

holding a piece o paper. I closed

my eyes and whispered onelast prayer. When he called my

daughter’s name, I cried almost

instantly. It was our greatest

miracle!

A Kiss from Heaven

When we walked in, tears kept

streaming down my ace. I was

trembling and crying as Pope

Francis approached. I was

overwhelmed by his presence.

He smiled at me and held my

hand as he touched my daughterand kissed her orehead. It was like

drawing close to heaven.

My heart stopped beating — as

i everything was lifed rom me.

I elt ree rom pain, worries, sins,

heartaches and misortunes. The

sadness o losing my husband

too soon, which I harbored or

years, suddenly went away. It was

replaced by a promise that rom

then on, lie would be OK. Even

my daughter knew what was

happening. When the Pope kissedher, she readily gave him a big smile

as i acknowledging his presence

and the blessing she received.

As we bid the Pope goodbye

that day, I brought with me his

blessing and the lesson that we

should never doubt the goodness

o the Lord. We should

never be araid to cry

because in crying we

come ace to ace with

our deepest ears and

eelings and we become

closer to God. And to be

closer to God, we should

allow ourselves to be

loved, to be surprised

by His overflowing love

through the people

around us. This is His

clear message to us. Elinore and her children, Riel and Rianne, will orever

treasure their encounter with Pope Francis.



34/52

Who Will,If Not

Us?Wisdom from PopeFrancis’ Laudato Si’(On Caring for OurCommon Home)

aBy Tess V. Atienza

Spec Sect

uture inhabitants o Earth will

have, including our very own

children, grandchildren and great

grandchildren.

Pope Francis, as the caring pastor

that we know him to be, wrote anencyclical letter titled Laudato Si’ to

address this concern. He is worried

not only about what’s happening to

our land, but more so, how it affects

the poorest o the poor, Christians

and non-Christians alike.

He, however, firmly believes

in the innate goodness o man and

hopes that the spiral o destruction to

Mother Earth can be arrested i man

undergoes an ecological and moral

conversion.

t’s 10 days beore Christmas. Typhoon signal no. 1 is raised

over Metro Manila. Samar, Sorsogon and others on the path

o Typhoon Nona are under signal no. 3. Local government

units are on red alert or possible disaster. Classes in some areas

are already suspended. As usual, traffic is at a standstill almost

everywhere.I say a prayer as I curl in bed — thankul or the cold weather

but at the same time anxious and earul. Certain memories

flash through my mind each time heavy rains all.

Dead bodies lying around. People walking aimlessly, not

knowing where to go or what to do. Men and women looting

supermarkets, driven by hunger. People lining up or a ew kilos

o rice, some canned goods, and perhaps a ew bottles o water

to last them or a day or two.

Friends, the signs are upon us: Our common home — the

Earth — is in danger.

There is no escaping it now. Everything we do

— and not do — has an effect on the kind o lie the



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We all have a share in this work.

And our beloved Pope offers steps we

can — and should — take i we are to

seriously help in halting the destruction

Present Dangers

In his encyclical, Pope Francis said,

“The continued acceleration o changes

affecting humanity and the planet is

coupled today with a more intensified

pace o lie and work which might be

called ‘rapidification.’ Although change

is part o the working o complex

systems, the speed with which human

activity has developed contrasts with

the naturally slow pace o biological

evolution” (LS, no. 18).

We are all witnesses — evenaccomplices — to this. In our desire

to make lie easier, acquire more,

produce more, move around aster,

we have allowed the government

and big businesses to turn orests into

highways and high-rise condominiums,

to reclaim the sea and turn it into malls

and casinos, and to plunder whatever

natural resources can be converted to

profit.

Pollution is not only in the air that

we breathe or in the water we drink. It

is also in the tons o waste — especiallynon-biodegradable and toxic —

generated daily by households, offices,

hospitals, ood establishments, and

industrial sites. Many diseases are now

being traced to pollution o every kind.

Modern society has developed

a throwaway culture that quickly

considers a thing as rubbish i it no

longer serves us. There is a disposable

version o almost anything that we

use daily — rom cups and plates to

underwear and printers.

In the most recent years, we

have experienced and seen extreme

weather disturbances not only here in

the Philippines but in other countries as

well. We readily say it’s global warming,

climate change, etc. But it didn’t happen

just by itsel. Studies have shown that

most o it is caused by human activity.

Pope Francis’ heart or the poor

is evident when he wrote, “Climate

change is a global problem with

grave implications…. Its worst impact

will probably be elt by developing

countries in the coming decades.

Many o the poor live in areas

particularly affected by phenomena

related to warming, and their means

o subsistence are largely dependent

on natural reserves and ecosystemic

services such as agriculture, fishing

and orestry.” Does that sound like the

Philippines?

Extreme changes in climate affect

not just man. Plants and animals

cannot adapt to the changes to, orcing

rural olks to migrate because o loss o

livelihood. In turn, amilies disintegrate

— a clear case o environmental

deterioration leading to moral and

social degradation, with the poor being

most affected.

All the above is just a glimpse ohow seriously our common home is

going down to the brink o destruction.

What’s more important, though, is what

each o us can do to contribute to its

halt.

Ecological and Moral Conversion

In Chapter 6 o Laudato Si’, Pope Francis

says, “Many things have to change

course, but it is we human beings above

all who need to change. We lack an

awareness o our common origin,

o our mutual belonging, and o a

uture to be shared with everyone.”

Pope Francis proposes several

measures to do this, but let’s just

tackle some that are doable within

one’s amily and community.

Because i every amily commits

to do these, then communities

change, too, until entire countries

and the whole world change.

1. New lifestyle

Pope Francis says, “The emptier

a person’s heart is, the more he or

she needs things to buy, own and

consume” (LS, no. 204). The issue

o environmental degradationshould make us examine our

liestyle.

Take a look around your

house, or even just your

bedroom.

Are there things that you have

barely used or not used at all in

the last six months? Review your

purchases in the last ew weeks.

Did you really need that new

gadget or new branded shirt or

bag?

When you eat out or even inthe house, do you use disposable

and non-biodegradable stuff?

Are you easily swayed by

the powerul billboards and

advertisements that bombard our

senses day in and day out?

It’s about time that we become

more conscious o the things we

buy and use, as well as how we

dispose those that we have used or

don’t need.

Here’s a simplified guide

that we can reer to in our dailyactivities:

Rethink that whatever you

do impacts other people and the

earth.

Reuse whatever can still be

put to good use.

Reduce waste and segregate

them.

Recycle anything — rom

paper to bottles to apparel.



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Respect that there is a purpose or everything that God

created; don’t meddle with it.

Friends, it’s time we throw away that “throwaway” culture.

2. Environmental education for ecological covenant

More than giving scientific inormation and generating

awareness on the issue o environmental destruction, there

is a need to cultivate new habits and new virtues that are

ecologically sound.

Local governments have taken steps along this line, such

as banning the use o plastic bags in supermarkets and waste

segregation. Still, these are “imposed” limitations and not

everyone understands the reason behind it.

What will work best is i every household — rom the

youngest member to the oldest — will sit down and discuss

how their daily habits impact the environment and commit

to change their liestyle. Not only will this bring out the best

in us; it will also give long-lasting restorative effects on the

environment.Schools and parishes can likewise provide

environmental education and events. Media can best help in

this, too, instead o being on the oreront o consumerism.

3. Ecological spirituality

Have you ever thought o nature as a “book” through which

God shows us His beauty and goodness? In Wisdom 13:5, it

says, “Through the greatness and beauty o creatures, one

comes to know by analogy their Maker.”

St. Francis o Assisi, the model par excellence o

ecological spirituality, invites us to always see God in nature.

To him, all things that God created are a brother and a sister to

him.I we take on that spirituality, we will have more respect

not only or our ellow human beings but also or everything

that He created — including that little herb plant in the

backyard, that hill that looks too good to convert into a hotel,

that skinny dog running afer you as you walk down the

street.

We can only develop this level o spirituality i we have

a committed relationship with our Creator. No prayers or

religious rituals can lead us to this. It is by being o

Kerygma Magazine February 2016

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Transcript of Kerygma Magazine February 2016