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October 2012No. 269 Vol. 22
Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life
JESUS IN
EVERYONEThe Real Discipleshi
JESUS IN
EVERYONE
TWO SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN BRIN
JESUS TO PEOPLE
BEFRIEND them SERVE THEM
EWTNS MARKETING MANAGER
EDWIN LOPEZ SHARES HOW FOOTBALL
AND TOASTED BREAD BROUGHT HIM
BACK TO CATHOLICISM
By Bo SancheTHE SILAN FAMILY:
BRINGING THE LOVE
OF JESUS TO PEOPLE
BEHIND BARS
Philippines P70US $7.00AUS $ 7.00Euro 5.00UK 4.00CDN $7.00SING $9.00HK $47.00
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Do you want to make your marriage andfamily life super, sweeter and stronger?
Find out how in this wise and practical book for spouses and parents
written by Light of Jesus co-founder, Pio Espaol
Because your family matters.
ORDER NOW!
For orders, call 725-9999 local 101 to 108or log on to www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph
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Quench your thirst with Gods Word every day!
Now available in bookstores nationwide
Shepherds Voice Devotionals 2013
For orders call 725-9999 local 101 to 108
or log on to www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph
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WealsothankMarizDacilloandArnoldGomezforposingwithBointhisphoto.
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
Let me tell you a true and sad story.
One day, a young woman named Catherine
was going home to her apartment. Suddenly, a
man named Winston attacked her and stabbed her with
a knife. She screamed, My God! I was stabbed! When
she screamed, the man ran away. There were 38 peoplearound the area who heard her scream, but not one of
them approached her. When the man saw that no one
came to help, he went back and finished her off.
By the time the police came to apprehend the man,
the woman was dead.
Why do we not go out and help? Because something
in our brain tells us, Its none of my business.
It was the same voice that spoke to Cain. Once upon
a time, there were two brothers, Cain and Abel. Out of
envy, Cain killed Abel. And when Cain was running away,
God asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel? And Cain
answered, Am I my brothers keeper?
When Catherine was murdered, those 38 people were
thinking like Cain, asking, Am I my brothers keeper?
The story of Cain and Abel is found in the fourth
chapter of Genesis, right at the start of the Bible. And its
as though the rest of the Bible is answering that question
with a resounding Yes!
Friend, God is searching for heroes.
Psychologists made numerous research studies to find
out why those 38 people didnt help Catherine. And heres
what they realized: Those people didnt help because they
depended so much on what others were doing. Because
no one was helping, the others didnt help either. If at least
one of those 38 bystanders had helped that woman, theothers would probably have helped, too. But that was the
problem. No one dared to help her.
Thats how most people make their decisions. Most
people dont want to lead. Most people like to be safe and
just follow.
So here lies the
importance of at
least one person
becoming a hero.
Friend, can
you be that one
person?
theBoss
By Bo Sanchez
Can you lead a movement of love?
Nothing dramatic, mind you.
Act small.
One day, a husband told his wife, I will do anything for you, even
cross the Pacific Ocean for you! The wife said, Thats nice. But Id
rather you carry the trash from the kitchen to the back door everynight.
Perhaps you can give an encouraging word. Or you can smile at
someone. Or you can pat someone on the back. Every encounter is an
opportunity to be a blessing for that person.
God said to Abraham, I will bless you so you can be a blessing.
This is the reason God wants to bless us so that we can be a
blessing to others. This is the reason He wants to give you a miracle.
So that you can be somebodys miracle.
Heres what I believe. If you wont share your blessings to others,
you wont receive the maximum amount of blessings that God wants
for your life.
Every day, God wants you to be a hero to somebody.
And its not complicated. Just be kind as a mother, as a sister,
as a cashier, as a saleslady, as a teacher, as a manager, as a nurse.
Its easy to do something good for someone who can pay you
back. But when you do something good for someone who cant pay
you back, the Lord will pay you back.
The Bible says, Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord
and he will reward them for what they have done (Proverbs 19:17).
Be someones hero today.
Youll be happier.
May your dreams come true.
WANTED:
Ordinary Heroes
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KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
roomMail
Id like to thank Bo and the
Kerygma staff for your wonderfularticles. I pray that you and yourcommunity will be able to touchmore souls and inspire them todream not just for themselves, butalso for other people. I really aminspired by the stories and thetestimonies. All the articles areinformative.
Keep up the good work! Morepower!
Joward dela CruzOnboard VLCC Tankers
Worldwide
I consider myself blessed for havinghad the chance to accidentallyread your magazine in our schoollibrary. When I discovered thatyour magazine is enlightening andmotivating, I told myself that I willcontinue reading it every month,
no matter how busy my scheduleis. Fortunately, our library has asubscription to your magazine andI can read it whenever I want.
I think that accidental momentis really a gift from God. Now Ican learn more about life and how
God wants me to live. I will share this
blessing with my fellow students bytelling them about your magazine. Iverealized that God has never stoppedsurprising me in my Christian life.
Thank you for your awesomemagazine!
Jose Maria NunagVia email
Since 2000, Ive been subscribing toKerygma. I was in the seminary fornine years. But I was not allowed toproceed to fourth year Theology. Theformators sent me on regency, meaningI was asked to leave the seminary. Theyactually gave me a year of regencybut I opted for indefinite regency. Theexperience really caused me pain. I feltsad because of what happened.
As I read Rissas column in theJune 2012 issue of Kerygma, I feltinspired and encouraged. Truly, this
painful experience made me morepersonal and intimate with the Lord.In this trying moment in my life, Icontinue to experience and feel thatthe Lord is indeed with me. I was reallyinspired by her article, When WinterComes, because it made me reflect on
my current situation. May the Lord
continue to use you to inspire andencourage many people. God bless!
Ralph Jacob R. TagleVia Emai
Congratulations to the Kerygmastaff and to Mr. Bo Sanchez. WhenI first saw this magazine, I wascurious as to what was inside. Then Iborrowed it and when I read it, I wassurprised. I was so inspired and filledwith hope. I pray that God wouldenlighten and guide me to make theright moves in my life. Thanks toKerygma.
Jerome PerezTinambac, Camarines Sur
When I first read Kerygma, I wasinspired a lot. The articles were verytouching and I could relate to them
I hope that the next issues will bemore inspiring. God bless.
FaithVia tex
We Want to HEAR from YOU!
Send your message via email to [email protected], through text to 0923-378-4941,
or by snail mail to The Editor at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109.
You can also reach us through KERYGMA Family. Log on to www.kerygmafamily.com.
For subscription-related concerns, text or call Sarah Discutido at 0922-814-7031 or email subscription@
shepherdsvoice.com.ph.
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OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
I
t was my eldest daughters fourth birthday so I took her with me to
morning Mass. I still remember the exact feeling I had when I first laid
eyes on her. Still groggy from anesthesia, I managed to open my eyes in
the delivery room as a nurse showed me a baby swaddled in a pink blanket.
She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.
Inspired by my reminiscing, I pulled out a large bill during the offertory
in thanksgiving for the blessing of having my daughter. As I dropped in my
money feeling a little smug for my generous offering, it dawned on me how
worthless my gift was. How could any amount approximate the blessing of
having her in our lives?
Then I was reminded of the Jews who had to redeem their firstborn sons
because all firstborns belong to the Lord.
Remember the story in Exodus 11 and 12? The Pharaoh refused to set
Gods people free so Moses, by Gods power, brought plagues upon Egypt. Thelast one was the death of all firstborn males, human and animal, throughout
the land. The only ones who were spared were those that belonged to the
Israelites, whom God had instructed to mark their doorposts with blood.
When the Lord saw the blood, He passed over the house and spared their
firstborn.
Because of this, God pronounced that every firstborn male that opened
up a womb belonged to Him.
To redeem a son, the father would have to present him to the priest and
exchange his life for five silver shekels (Numbers 18:16).
I read that today, the Bank of Israel mints silver coins just for this purpose
while they use silver dollars in America.
I teared up at the gross inequality of the redemption process. What do Ihave in my possession that I could give in exchange for the life of my firstborn?
I know of people who have spent millions to get pregnant while I have not
just one, but two beautiful girls conceived without difficulty.
Ive come to learn that Gods math is not the same arithmetic were taught
in school.
No, far from it.
His math doesnt compute.
It doesnt add up.
It goes beyond the multiplication table.
It puts exponential functions to shame.
Think about it: God sends rain
on the just and unjust. If I were God
why waste my water on the one who
doesnt believe in me?
He gives us bread and fish even
when we deserve a scorpion.
He clothes us in the finest robe
puts a ring on our finger and sandals
on our feet, when, really, were not
even worthy to enter His house.
What an unfair God we have.
Indeed, before you the whole universe
is as a grain from a balance, or a drop
of morning dew come down upon
the earth. But you have mercy on all,
because you can do all things; and you
overlook the sins of men that they may
repent. you spare all things, because
they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls.
(Wisdom 11:22, 23, 26)
Email me at [email protected] o
follow me on Facebook.
What to Expect This Month:
Kergyma Conference 2012 is happening o
November 24 and 25 at the SM MOA Aren
and SMX. Dont miss the biggest Catholi
learning event of the year, now even bigge
with 14 streams to choose from: Praye
Worship, Education, Health, Career, Business
Catholic Faith, Solo Parents, Singles, Singl
Blessedness, Inner Healing, Family, Yout
and Leadership. Ticket prices are P1,50
(premium with reserved seats) and P97
(regular). Student rate is P400. Registe
now! Call (02)725-9999 or log on to www
kerygmaconference.com.
just
BreatheBy Rissa Singson-Kawpeng
y
/
How Can YouNotWin When the Rules Are in Your Favor?The Unfair Exchange
living by grace
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OCTOBERvol. 22 no. 269
Whats
INSIDEThe Bo Files.
Columns.
SpecialSection.
Testimonies
1 The Boss Wanted:
Ordinary Heroes
40 Point of Contact
2 Mailroom6 New You
7 Real Stuff9 KFam Insider10 Dear K
12 Feast Snapshots13 Feast Testimony
13 Laughingly Yours14 The Feast Schedules
17 It Happened Traveling
the Road of Faith39 One Last Story
Praying the Rosary
with Mom
21 Jesus in Everyon
The Real Discipl22 Befriend Them28 Serve Them
3 Just BreatheThe Unfair
Exchange
35 Kitchen Scribbles
I Want a Plaque
or Something
37 K Preacher
A Lesson in
Biology
26 Freedom Behind
Bars32 Milk, Toasted Br
and a Changed L
1
37
Departments.262617
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
ABOUT OUR COVER MODEL
Anthony Rouben P. Valenzuela was raised in Bahrain in the Middle East, his parents bOverseas Filipino Workers. He joined CFC Youth for Christ in his latter elementary yearcame to know the Lord more personally. After high school graduation, he decided to come hto the Philippines to answer a deeper call to serve the Lord. He entered a Franciscan semand took up AB Philosophy. For four years, he underwent an intense and joyful formationself-discovery. His relationship with the Lord further deepened, until he discovered thacalling was to serve Him as a layman.
Tony or Ants, as his friends call him, has an AB Mass Communications degree Adamson University. He is an aspiring thespian, dancer, actor, host, singer, writer, lyricisfilm director. At present, Ants works as Media Engagement Specialist for World Visioninternational Christian humanitarian organization.
An avid Kerygma reader, he dreams of becoming a more effective communicatorservant of God in the field of media. He is now a member of Singles for Christ. He has battending The PICC Feast* since 2010 and was part of the core team of the PICC Single MMinistry, Gods Gentlemen.
* The Feast is the weekly prayer gathering of the Light of Jesus Family in different locations. Bo Sanchez ha
the PICC Feast every Sunday. For details, call 725-9999 local 205.
hairman of the board and publisher BO SANCHEZ editor-in-chief and productionanager RISSA SINGSON-KAWPENG managing editorTESS V. ATIENZA creativerector MIKE CORTES graphics director REY DE GUZMAN assistant layout
esigner PIO MALLARI sta writer MARJORIE ANN DUTERTE contributingriters PIA ANGELICA SUIZA, LELLA SANTIAGO, OSY ERICA, BELLA ESTRELLA,EY ORTEGA photographersDANIEL SORIANO, DAKILA ANGELES columnistsOSANNE ROMERO, JON ESCOTO sales and marketing manager JOSEP H
MARTINEZ administration and nance manager WENG CEQUEA
ERYGMA. A Greek word meaning Proclamation of the Gospel. It is a Catholic
spirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool to all nations, providing
criptural, practical and orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those
the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also
ommitted to fostering the renewal and unity of the whole Christian people.
hilippine copyright Shepherds Voice Publications, Inc. 2012. No part of this
magazine may be reproduced without permission. KERYGMA is publishedmonthly by Shepherds Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business
ffices are located at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tels: 725-9999,
11-7874, 725-1190. Fax: 727-5615 Email: [email protected].
Website: www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph
1
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If youre like everyone else, you probably have some
tasks you dont want to do. (Like exercising, perhaps?)
To conquer this, here are some things you can do:
Put yourself in jail. Just in your mind, OK? If you
imagine yourself in jail, you have no reason to rush. So
you can slow down and concentrate. Take baby steps.If it is the hugeness of the task that
bogs you down, just take one step at a time. The next
day, take another step. Before long, youll be surprised
at how much youve accomplished.
Do it first thing in the morning. Conquer your fear
first thing in the morning by doing it right away. As
soon as you enter work, or when you wake up, give
yourself a certain number of minutes each day to
accomplish the dreaded task.
Source: http://shine.yahoo.com
How LoveBenefits You
KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
Tips toAccomplishinga Dreaded
Task
Bell peppers, which belong to the nightshade family that includes potatoes
tomatoes and eggplant, are an excellent source of over 30 different
members of the carotenoid nutrient family. In a recent study from Spain, only
bell pepper and tomato contained two-thirds of all listed nutrients in the study
(vitamin C, vitamin E, and six carotenoids alpha carotene, beta carotene
lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin). To maximize the availability
of vitamin C and caretonoids in bell peppers, use the vegetable when it is ripe
Source: www.whfoods.com
newYou tips for personal development
Quick Health Tip
Love makes the world go round. Apparently, there are othe
perks to being in love or of having someone love you:
Love improves mental health. A study in New Zealand
found out that people who had been in a relationship fo
longer than five years were less likely to be depressed and
attempt suicide. Other studies showed that married people
report lower levels of depression and distress. Love keeps the heart healthy.A study by researchers a
the University of Rochester in New York found out that those
in happy relationships are three times more likely to survive
heart surgery.
Love keeps you sober. A study showed that only fou
percent of people who had been in a relationship between
two and four years misused alcohol, while only three percent
abused alcohol for those in a relationship for more than five
years.
Source: http://ph.she.yahoo.com
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St. Hemma
If you want to live longer, check out your happiness meter.
According to a study published in the online edition
of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, happy
people reduce their risk of premature death by as much as 35
percent.
Unlike other happiness studies which rely on a participants
long-term recall of emotional states, this particular study used
a technique called Ecological Momentary Assessment, which
gives a quick picture of what a person is feeling in real time.
In the study, 4,000 participants, aged 52 to 79, were asked
to rate their feelings of happiness or anxiety on a sliding scale
four times over the course of one day, beginning when they
woke up in the morning. The study team then followed them
for five years, recording the number of deaths during that time.
According to lead author Andrew Steptoe, professor ofepidemiology and psychology, after several control factors, the
study results showed that those folks who rated their feeling
of happiness higher lived longer than those with lower scores.
I was a bit surprised that the happiness effect was so
strong, even among people who had chronic diseases, he said.
Older people have needs that we in society try to supply like
good healthcare and ensuring they have enough money to live
on. But maybe we should pay attention to their well being in
terms of happiness, too.
Source: http://msn.com
T
he cause for the canonization of the late Archbishop
Fulton Sheen has made progress with the declaration
by Pope Benedict XVI to recognize the heroic virtues of
Archbishop Sheen, declaring him Venerable.
According to Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria, Ill.,
Venerable Sheen displayed virtues that the rest of us
can try to imitate, and was a pioneer in using media
to proclaim the Gospel. He preached and taught
relentlessly.
He always believed that the miracle of bringing
more people to Christ came from the time spent on his
knees before the Blessed Sacrament, Bishop Jenky said.
He added, Perhaps more importantly, he was a man of
holiness, of intense daily prayer. That is an example that I
believe the Church needs to imitate in these days.Venerable Sheen was the host of the Catholic Hour
radio show, the ABC television show Life Is Worth Living,
and author of many books. He also headed the Society
for the Propagation of the Faith and served as auxiliary
bishop of New York and Bishop of Rochester.
His cause for sainthood was opened in 2002. An
authentic miracle is now needed for Venerable Sheen to
be beatified, which is the last step before canonization.
Source: http://msn.com
LIVE LONGER BE HAPPY,STUDY SAYS
ARCHBISHOPFULTON
SHEEN
DECLAREDVENERABLE
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
Born and Died:980, Austria June 27, 1045, AustriaNotable Facts: St. Hemma was adopted by Emperor Heinrich II and his wifeKunigunde. As Countess von Friesach-Zeltschach, she married Count Wilhelm vonder Sann, thus becoming one of the most powerful women in Carinthia, Austria.
When she lost her children and then her husband, St. Hemma had sole control overtwo mighty families with possessions in several areas in Austria and Italy. She useda large part of her inheritance to build two monasteries and a number of churches,and for the welfare of the poor. She became a lay sister in 1036. St. Hemma isinvoked for a happy childbirth and for eye complaints.
Saints at a Glance
Stuffreal
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Sometime in September 1979, we heard about a Grade
6 pupil who, because her parents were so poor, could
not go on to high school after finishing her elementary
studies in a small barrio in Taguig. And there was no high school
in their fishing village; the nearest was located in another town.
My friends and I pooled together our meager resources and
we made that girl our scholar in high school the following June.
And four years later, we sent her to college. After anotherfour years, she marched onto the stage to receive her diploma
in Nursing as tears freely flowed from her eyes.
Fast forward to June 2012.
Different Settings, Different Challenges Same Vision
Were still at it, helping poor but persevering kids and holding
their hands as they slowly turn their dreams into reality,
Some 140 youths, most of whom are in collegiate level, and
coming from diverse backgrounds, began trooping to various
schools. They are the scholars of Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship
Foundation, formerly known as ALAY Foundation.
Five of these Pag-asa scholars are not your typical cellphone-
toting, showbiz-updated, jeans and T-shirt kids. These kids havenot even been to any shopping mall or a small-town cinema.
They are Dumagat children, part of widely scattered
indigenous tribes up in the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. Their
Dumagat parents eke out a living by using centuries-old farming
methods, growing root crops and vegetables, and collecting
honey, and selling their products to the lowlanders.
A visionary businessman with a big heart for the poor
stumbled upon the plight of the Dumagats. Seeing their abject
poverty, he dreamt of finding ways to help them on a long-term
basis, not on a one-time or occasional dole out system. (He
refused to make his name known, as he might get flooded with
requests for financial help!)
He contacted Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation.
And an ambitious scheme came into being: The Dumagat tribe
will be helped in order to help themselves.
Yes, the Dumagats will go on with their traditional way
of life and preserve their culture and traditions. We modern
people have no right and should never impose our modern
ways on them. All indigenous peoples way of life and traditions
deserve to be preserved; those are the sacred legacies of the
ages. But on the economic front, the poor Dumagats need not
remain poor forever. And this is where my businessman friend
and Pag-asa Foundation will come in.
Modern business technology will be introduced. Marketing
and accounting systems will be implemented. Continuous
savings will be encouraged. All profits will be retained by the
Dumagats; neither my friend nor the scholarship foundation will
share in the income.
And as part of the planned infrastructure, well-selected
Dumagat children will be trained through formal university
education to serve as future leaders and movers.The son of the tribal chieftain is one of the chosen scholars.
We enrolled him in a course on Agricultural Management. The
other Dumagat scholars, all talented and filled with potentials,
enrolled in Marketing and Accounting courses. Two other
Dumagat scholars took up Education and will serve as school
teachers in their own mountain community.
They are now regular students in the University of Rizal
System (URS), in the schools Tanay and Antipolo campuses.
Commuting daily from their mountain communities to the
lowland URS is expensive and impractical. At this age when man
had already set foot on the moon and cloud computing is blazing
newer and newer technological frontiers, only one jeepney plies
the mountain route and makes only one trip a day!We solved the problem by putting them in boarding houses
near their campus. The time they save on their daily commute is
now devoted to studying their lessons.
Lets Help Them in Their Journey
And since these scholars are all baptized Christians (three are
Catholics and two are Protestants), we hope to bring them closer
to God by loving them, journeying with them, and introducing
faith-oriented experiences to
them.
Lets help build the
Kingdom in their hearts.
With your prayers, these
Dumagat scholars can make
a difference in their poor
mountain communities.
And with your moral
and financial support, Pag-
asa Foundation can continue
reaching out to more and
more poor but persevering
youths in Metro Manila and
in the provinces.
HOPEFOR THE
TRIBES
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
Kfaminsider
By Rey Ortega
To send a poor youth to school a
help his family rise from poverplease make a donation today.
Banco de Oro Savings Acct. No.
397-005-9458. Account name:
Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship
Foundation.
Please contact Rey & Myrna Orte
for details at 0922 859 7035 or
email [email protected]
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I AM GETTING
CONFUSED ABOUTMY FAITH
dearK
was born and raised a Catholic. I believein God with all my heart. But lately, myfaith is being shaken by our professor in
philosophy, who has been teaching us beliefsthat are very different from what our religionis teaching us. Because he offers very logicalreasons, many of us begin to also consider hisviewpoints and we are being influenced by hislectures. Some have started to question theirfaith, too. I am confused and disturbed by thethings he is saying but because he offers verypersuasive arguments, I cant help but listen.I am afraid that because of his class, we arebeginning to question our beliefs. I cant stopattending his class, because it is a basic subjectrequired for us to take. How do I listen todiffering opinions while protecting my faith?How do I tell my teacher respectfully that hisviews are affecting us? What can we do aboutit?
Bothered Student
Dear Bothered Student,I understand you very well. The question you ask is also asked
many times by our seminarians who study philosophy. Coming from abackground of pious belief and simple devotions, the logic of philosophythat questions many of our beliefs can really be shocking and shake thefaith. But never forget that there are great Christian philosophers whowere able to combine faith and reason.
Logical reasons are, of course, more convincing than what faithoffers. Faith appeals mainly to the heart while logical reasons appeal tothe head. The task is to combine both.
Take the discussions of your teacher as challenges to search now foranswers that will strengthen your faith. I teach the Bible and sometimeseminarians tell me that their faith is shaken because they hear things
about the Bible they had never heard before. I myself experiencedthis when I had my introduction to the Bible during my novitiate. Ifelt uncomfortable as you feel right now, but then I searched for themeaning of what I had learned and realized that I had to let go of someold, dear beliefs. And that was liberating.
Maybe you have reached this stage. Mature faith is not somethingwe have already but something that we must constantly develop anddeepen. And that needs challenges.
Try to talk to a priest or find books by Christian philosopherand books about the Catholic faith where you can find answers to thedisturbing things you hear in class.
Feel free to write again and dont get tired of asking questions!Im praying for you!
Fr. Rudy
Email your questions to [email protected]. Or if you need to talk to someone, call (
726-4709 or 726-6728 to contact a Light of Jesus counselor. Telephone counseling is 24 hours f
Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Face-to-face counseling is by appointment
correspondence counseling, email [email protected] or go to www.kerygmafamily.com.
Or Call(632) 725-9999
Pregnant? Confused? Abortion is not the answer. Contact Grace to Be Born at 0917-816-470
email [email protected].
You may also contact Sr. Pilar Versoza at Pro-life Philippines. Call (632) 733-7027 or text 0
945-5494 or email [email protected].
When Fr. Rudy Horst came to the Philippines in 1984, he
was rst assigned to the Immaculate Concepon Parish
in Cubao. It was where he came in contact with the sll
young Light of Jesus Community. In 1990, he moved to
Christ the King Mission Seminary, where he serves as one
of the spiritual directors of the seminarians and teaches
Religious Educaon. He also teaches Holy Scriptures at the
Maryhill School of Theology and the Divine Word School
of Theology in Tagaytay.
KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
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My parents are about to celebratetheir 30th anniversary. They live inone house but they hardly speak to
each other. I heard my mother say that most ofher married life shes been miserable. This mademe fearful about marriage and I am afraid thatI might repeat the mistakes they have madeand also be miserable.
I often wonder if there is still hope that mymother would be able to forgive my father forhis affair in the past, which broke her heart andwhich hurts her until now. She says she hasforgiven him but the wounds still remain andtheir communication has suffered ever since.Its been two decades since my father siredchildren from another woman. My parents livetogether but they sleep in different rooms.
How can I help my mother forgive myfather? Can they still start anew even if theyare already old? How do they restore theirrelationship after all these years?
Concerned Daughter
HOW CAN I
HELP MY MOTHERFORGIVE MY
FATHER?
Dear Concerned Daughter,Your love for your parents is clearly seen from your letter. I admire
you for your loving concern for them. I am sure that witnessing yourparents marital problems has not been easy for you all these years.
Allow me to answer your central question How can I help mymother forgive my father? My answer may come as a shock to you, buthere it is: You cant!
You cant make her forgive your dad; she has to desire this herseland come to a decision to forgive him. You cant save their marriagethey are the ones to decide on its fate. You cant fix their problems; theyhave to fix it themselves. You cant stop them from fighting; they needto change themselves.
My point is this: No one, not you, nor even the most skilled
marriage counselor can fix their marriage unless they themselves wouldwant to restore their relationship and seek help for this.
Now, does this mean you are simply to sit back and wait till yourparents come to their senses? Not really. There are things you can dobeginning with the attitude that only God and your parents themselvescan fix their marriage.
Which brings me to two things: the power of prayer and the powerof love.
Pray to God to open their hearts and to bring healing to thewounds of the past. Share your faith with them. Ask God to use you asan instrument to bring them to a closer relationship with Him.
Be there for them, not to fix their marriage, but to simply love,support and encourage them when needed. Your loving and listeningpresence may help your mom sort out her hurts and melt her bitterness
Lastly, I strongly urge you to get support for yourself.Already, you have observed the effect of your parents maritalproblems on your own feelings and views about marriage.It may help to talk this over with a counselor or a trustedfriend.
I pray that the Holy Spirit may touch your family thatunity, love and peace may reign in your parents relationship
Ditas
Ditas Espaol is a cancer survivor. Nineteen years
ago, she fought for her life with the sword of faith
that God had given her. Now a counselor, she
sll uses that sword to bale the pain of others.
She believes she was healed so she can be an
instrument of our Divine Healer. Together with
her husband, Vic, Ditas trains the counselors of
the Light of Jesus Counseling Center.
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
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KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
Look for the word center in the
dictionary and it will point you to
the following definitions:center noun: 1. a place where
a particular activity or service is
concentrated; 2. a point around which
things revolve; often, a focal point, one
that is most important.
At the Makati Feast Tuesdays launch
on May 15, 2012, both definitions proved
accurate. The Paseo Center in Makati City
became a place of a huge celebration
and, at the same time, of knowing the
True Center and Focal Point of our lives:
Jesus. (Editors Note: Makati Feast Tuesday,
now dubbed as Makati Feast Salcedo, has
moved to its new home at the second floor
of the Mondragon House in H. V. dela CostaSt. near Tordesillas St. in Salcedo Village.)
Center of the Celebration
Clad in red, a popular color indicative of
a celebration, worship leaders Andreus
Cosio and Mike Vias welcomed the
crowd of mostly young professionals to
the joyous Feast that was to come.
Lets celebrate! was Makati Feast
Salcedos builder Jan Silans warm
invitation to everyone. Much like town
fiestas, the Feast is a celebration, a potluck not of food but of self. Jan emphasiz
that what we bring to The Feast as a contribution is ourselves.
Speaking more on celebrations, Jans reminder was that we should celebra
not only when we win. Sometimes we win; sometimes we learn. He encouraged t
Makati attendees to focus on the good, celebrate, and give thanks in all circumstanc
Center of Everything
Being a new Feast builder and the youngest at that Jan introduced himselfthe crowd with a very personal profile of himself. A child of God was the first en
in his profile. Jan also shared that, 12 years after hearing Light of Jesus Founder
Sanchez give a talk, he began nurturing a dream: to build a Feast, not to be popu
but to tell the world of Gods love.
Jans parting words were a promise: through the Makati Feast Salcedo, peop
will not only be closer to God but also know Jesus more today than yesterday. A
with that promise came an invitation: for everyone to put Jesus at the center of th
lives, to make Him the focal point of their everything.
How about you? Would you like to know Jesus more? Have you made Him t
center of your life? Accept Jans invitation. Join him every Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., at t
Makati Feast Salcedo, and find out how to put Christ at the center of it all: your hea
your life, your everything.
Feastsnapshots
MAKATI FEAST TUESDAYMOVES TO THE MONDRAGON HOUSE
Text by Osy Erica
Photos by I. C. de Guzman and
Jacob Cruz
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OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
Iam a wife and mother of three, and a long-
time sales practitioner in the pharmaceutical
industry. I manage the training needs of the
company I work for. At the same time, I am an
active servant in our parish and in a Charismatic
community as formator.
My first time to attend a Feast was on May
6, 2012, at The Feast Alabang. I went there to
promote the 6th National Catholic Charismatic
Congress (NCCC) held from May 31 to June 2,
2012 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
That was the first time I saw the Novena to
Gods Love, a booklet given to first-time attendeesat The Feast. I carefully filled it out with seven
dreams that I desire.
In the days that followed, I continued
promoting the 6th NCCC at the different Feasts
that I could reach Makati, Sucat, Laguna and the PICC. In all of them, I lifted
up my Novena to Gods Love.
Dream No. 2 Answered in Just 10 Days!
On May 16, my boss approached me and said, I have good news! A car with
automatic transmission has been approved for you! Really? My eyes widened
with glee and tears of joy began to fall as my thoughts raced back to dream no.
2 in my Novena to Gods Love: a car with automatic transmission in a color unlike
my previous cars.Ive been driving for 32 years, and being in my golden years now, I wanted
an automatic to ease my driving every day from our Las Pias home to our office
in Ortigas, a good one-and-a-half-hour drive, given the daily traffic.
As I look back, could it be that God rewarded me for contributing to
the purchase of a new personal computer for our parish office? By using my
husbands mid-year bonus, which he offered because our children have all
finished college, I was able to add P10,000 to the amount I had solicited. And so,
our parish priest got his request in time for our fiesta!
As I counted the number of days from the time I first attended The Feast, it
was only a matter of 10 days, and my prayer was already answered! And talking
about specifications I got an automatic in metallic beige, a color that none of
my previous cars have had.
Dream No. 1: The Weather Obeyed
Caesar and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary on June 25, 2012. Taking
advantage of an airline promotional discount to the Visayas, our whole family
geared up for a three-day holiday in Boracay from June 22 to 24, the weekend
before our anniversary. The only factor that could possibly dampen our trip and
family bonding was the weather because June is usually a rainy month in our
country.
My dream no. 1 was for fair weather during our vacation in Boracay. Just
before our trip, tropical depression Carina left the country. After our vacation,
tropical depression Dindo entered. They gave way, and our family enjoyed every
minute of our stay there!
By Ellen Balasa as told to Bella Estrella
Photo by Arlene Batislaong
GOD AMAZED ME AT THE FEASTThrough the Novena to Gods Love
LaughinglyoursWhat did the female mushroom say
about the male mushroom? Hes a real
fun guy [fungi].
Patient: Doctor, should I file my nails?
Doctor: No! Throw them away like
everybody else.
A note left for a pianist from his wife:
Gone Chopin, (have Liszt), Bach in a
Minuet.
There once was a clerk who workedat the grocery store and noticed that
someone left their lights on their vehicle.
She decided to be a good Samaritan
and announced the following over the
intercom system: Excush mae, der eez
a caar wid de lights on, license phlate
numbearrr, LBQ123, El as in elepant, vee
as in victory, and q as in cucumbearrr.
Dream Nos. 3 and 4 on the Way
I am now getting, through an installmentplan, my own LCD projector (Dream no. 3),
which I will use in giving spiritual formation
and talks.
And for Dream no. 4, our general
manager informed us that weve been
having a very good sales performance, and
the trend is heading towards achieving our
sales target for 2102. This means that my
dream to have our management conference
either in Hong Kong or Singapore in 2013 is
on its way.
As Bo Sanchez says, Go where the
blessings flow. For me, thats The Feastwhere God has been blessing people in
amazing ways.
Today, I bring our parishioners to The
Feast Sucat, and we are continuously being
blessed.
Share with us how The Feast has
blessed you. Email your testimony
and high-resolution photo to
Feasttestimony
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KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
KERYGMA MISSION PARTNER
BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROMOA special treat for everyone students and students-at-heart!
Get a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Young mobilephone, an investment account worth P5,000 from
COL Financial and inspiring SVP products:
MECHANICS
1. Subscribe to KERYGMA, FISH, ALL STARSand MUSTARDfrom June 1,
2012 to December 28, 2012.
2. To subscribe, tear off the subscription form from the magazine. This will
serve as your raffle coupon. Fill it out with your complete name, address,
telephone number, e-mail address, mode of payment. Affix your signature
and mail to:
Shepherds Voice Publications, Inc., c/o Back-to-School Promo #60 Chicago St. Cubao 1109 Quezon City
3. There will be 15 winners in all, with the following prizes:
5 winners of COL Financial Investment Account worth P5,000.00
5 winners of Samsung Galaxy Young
5 winners of SVP products worth of P3,000.00
4. Promo period is from June 1, 2012 to December 28, 2012.
5. All entries received until December 28, 2012 qualify for the draw.
Grand draw is on January 13, 2013.
GUIDELINES
1. A participant can only win once. If the participant wins
more than once, she/he gets the higher prize.
2. A notification letter via registered mail will be sent to
winners for confirmation. Instructions on where to claim
the prize will be detailed in the letter.
3. Prizes are transferrable but not convertible to cash.
4. Prizes must be claimed within 60 days from receipt of
notification.
5. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited in favor of SVP with
prior approval of DTI.
6. Winners shall claim their prizes at the Shepherds Voice
office at 60 Chicago St., Cubao 1109 Quezon City,
upon presentation of the notification letter, claim stub
and valid ID with photo (e.g., drivers license, company
ID or passport). Winners who cannot claim their prizes
personally, especially those from provinces, may send
their representative provided they present the following:
a. Letter of authorization from the winner
b. Proper identification
c. Letter and claim stub sent by SVP
7. The promo organizers decision is final with the
concurrence of a DTI representative.
8. All SVP employees are not eligible to join the raffle
promo, including their relatives up to the 3rd degree of
consanguinity or affinity.
9. A DTI representative will be on hand to witness the draw
on January 13, 2013 after the first session (10:30a.m.) of
The Feast at the Philippine International Convention
Center, Pasay City, Manila.
10. Per DTI NCR Permit No. 2923 Series of 2012.
COL Financial Group (formerly known as CitisecOnline) is the no. 1 online
stockbroker in the Philippine Stock Exchange with a strong capitalization of over
Php1 Billion. With years of experience, expertise and local and global knowledge of
equities combined with an advanced trading platform, COL provides a convenient
way of successfully investing in stocks. COL holds free weekly investor education
seminars on the basics of investing in the stock market at the COL Training Center,24/F East Tower, PSE Centre, Exchange Rd. Ortigas Center Pasig City. For more
information, you can visit our website at www.colfinancial.com or call 6-515-888.
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FeastschedulesFEAST VENUE DAY TIME FEAST BUILDER
Alabang 1 2nd Floor, Festival Mall (Near X-Site Entrance), Alabang,
Muntinlupa City
Sunday 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Arun Gogna
Alabang 2 2nd Floor, Festival Mall (Near X-Site Entrance), Alabang,
Muntinlupa City
Sunday 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Arun Gogna
Alabang 3 2nd Floor, Festival Mall, (Near X-Site Entrance), Alabang,Muntinlupa City
Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Arun Gogna
Alabang 4 2nd Floor, Festival Mall, (Near X-Site Entrance), Alabang,
Muntinlupa City
Wednesday 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Jonathan Yogawin
Alabang 5 2nd Floor, Festival Mall, (Near X-Site Entrance), Alabang,
Muntinlupa City
Saturday 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Randy Borromeo
Alabang
Youth
2nd Floor, Festival Mall, (Near X-Site Entrance), Alabang,
Muntinlupa City
Saturday 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Arun Gogna
Baliwag Cinema 4, SM Baliwag, Bulacan Saturday 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Marvin Tan
BGC 5th Floor of Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street,
Bonifacio Global City
Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. George Gabriel
Cardona Mary Help of Christians Hospital, National Road,Barangay. Calahan, Cardona, Rizal
Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Nap Col-long
Cavite Cinema 5, Robinsons Imus, Aguinaldo Highway, Imus,
Cavite
Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 12:30p.m. Rex Robillos
Laguna 1 Feast Laguna Family Center, 3/F Central Mall, Binan City,
Laguna
Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Jon Escoto
Laguna 2 Feast Laguna Family Center, 3/F Central Mall, Binan City,
Laguna
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 11:15a.m. Jon Escoto
Makati 1 AIM Conference Center, Benavidez corner Paseo de
Roxas, Makati City
Thursday 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Randy Borromeo
Makati 2 Cinema 3, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Randy Borromeo
Makati 3 Mondragon House, 2/F Ballroom, H.V. Dela Costa St. (near
Tordesillas Street), Salcedo Village
Tuesday 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Jan Silan
Malolos Feliza Jazz Pavillon, Sumapang Matanda, Malolos City Friday 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. John Cruz
Manila 1 Cinema 4, SM Manila Friday 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Obet Cabrillas
Manila 2 Cinema 4, SM Manila Friday 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Obet Cabrillas
Marikina Bluewave Marikinas Activity Center, Marikina City Sunday 5:15 - 6:45 PM Pio Espanol
Marilao 1 Barcelona Academy, Marilao, Bulacan Friday 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Alvin Barcelona
Marilao 2 Cinema 2, SM Marilao Saturday 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Alvin Barcelona
Marilao 3 Cinema 2, SM Marilao Saturday 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Alvin Barcelona
Ortigas 1 Cinema 3, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Monday 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Vic Espaol
Ortigas 2 Cinema 3, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 12:00p.m. Vic Espaol
Pasig 1 Valle Verde Country Club Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 12:00p.m. Obet Cabrillas
Pasig 2 Valle Verde Country Club Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Obet Cabrillas
PICC 1 Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Bo Sanchez
PICC 2 Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 12:30p.m. Bo Sanchez
PICC 3 Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City Sunday 3:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Alvin Barcelona
QC Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Visayas Ave., QC Sunday 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eng Si
QC Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Visayas Ave., QC Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Eng Si
Sucat Cinema 4, SM Sucat, Paraaque Friday 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Adrian Panganiban
Taytay Valley Fair, Taytay, Rizal Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Pio Espaol
Valenzuela Cinema 1, SM Valenzuela Sunday 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eng Si
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By Millete dela Cruz as told to Lella M. Santiago
We were rammed by a car from behind. My husband, Gilbert, and our
motorcycle flew off the road while I was thrown under the car that hit
us. When Gilbert saw that I was unconscious, he ran and pounded on the
window to tell them to reverse the car because my head was lodged between the
tire and the running board. The people in the car didnt even know I was there. They
only stopped because of a flat tire. God saved me.
This happened on March 8, 2009 on our way to Valle Verde. We had been going
to The Feast there for two years before the accident. In the beginning, our business,Stageman Sounds & Lights, serviced The Feast in Ultra. Bo Sanchezs inspiring talks
encouraged us to become regular attendees. But since I developed a phobia for
riding the motorcycle after the accident, we stopped attending.In May of that year, Kerygma preacher Arun Gogna spoke in a seminar at the Divine Light
Academy (DLA) where I work as a Christian Living and Values Education teacher. He invited us to
attend the South Feast (now Feast Alabang). I missed attending The Feast, but the trauma was just
too much. I cried for joy when I heard that one will be opening near us. I knew it was another of
Gods miracles and an answer to my prayer.
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
happenedIT
TRAVELING THE ROADOF FAITH
Millete now serves as lector/commentator
at The Feast Alabang.
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There were trials in my life that I felt
were obstacles on the road of faith I was
traveling on. I need The Feast as my weekly
charger especially when problems
weaken me.
Taking DetoursOur accident was just one roadblock. I
remember when I was in the hospital,
I asked the Lord why He allowed that to
happen when we were on the way to hear
His Word. But I realized everything has a
purpose. He used my tragic experience to
touch many when Arun asked me to share
about it. After the session, people came
up to me to say thank you because they
were blessed. Little did I know that this
detour would make a difference in their
lives.In my sharing, I also talked about the
other obstacle that came my way. In July
2009, I was diagnosed with pneumonia
and severe anemia. The doctor
recommended a blood transfusion of
four to five bags because my hemoglobin
count was very low. I decided to hold
that off. I was depressed for a week. I kept
crying because I was afraid I would have leukemia. Again, I
asked the Lord why I was weakening and losing faith when I
had begun to serve Him.
That Sunday, the topic was Relentless Faith and the
message that struck me most was, Satans job is to make
us quit. I understood that my illness, like the accident, was
meant to veer me away from the path of faith. I asked to be
prayed over and felt the Holy Spirit touch and heal me. When
I had my blood analysis done after that, the results showed I
no longer needed a blood transfusion.
Major Roadblock
The accident and my illness are just bumps in the road if you
compare them to something that had been digging into my
soul for years unforgiveness. This started years ago when
my two brothers and I discovered that our father has another
family. That was very painful for me because, as the eldest and
the only girl, I was his pet. What was more painful was that,although we are the legal family, there were instances when
my father denied our identity. I remember the time when he
introduced me to his other children as his niece. He said they
were too young to understand.
What deepened the hurt was that my fathers relatives
knew about his other family and we didnt. We found out
years later when my brothers and I were already married. Only
then did I realize why he mistakenly brought me a walking
doll from his trip abroad when I was already grown up (my
half-sister is 15 years younger) or why he was only with us
either on Christmas or New Year but never on both occasions.When we asked him to choose between the two families, he
refused. My mother just let him live with his other family.
It was only years later when my husband and I attended
the Marriage Encounter (ME) and eventually the Life in the
Spirit Seminar that I forgave him. Actually, I saw no reason to
attend the ME because my husband and I have been blessed
with a good marriage for the past 27 years. Apparently, God
had a purpose for directing us to make this turn. I needed to
learn about forgiveness, otherwise my spiritual life will have
a blockage. Today, as a member of the Marriage Encounter,I give the talk on forgiveness at our PREX (Parish Renewal
Experience) seminars.
I have forgiven my father and so has my mother. Our two
families are at peace, especially now that the other woman
has passed away. My secret prayer is that my parents will get
back together.
You know, God has a funny way of making up for our
hurts. My father has a sister who was hit by a motorcycle.
KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
The Cruz family celebrang Fathers Day in 2012.
8/13/2019 Kerygma Oct 2012
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When she had a
brain operation,
some nerves
were affected
and only her
old memories
were retained.
She doesnt
recognize my
fathers other
family, just ours.
In a way, that
soothes the
pain of being
d i s o w n e d
before.
Another StoplightTwo years after our accident, I thought my trials were
over. But two months ago I bled for three weeks. I
ignored that until I felt so weak, my friends badgered
me to go to the hospital. As soon as the doctor checked
me, he ordered that I be given oxygen, dextrose and
transfused with three bags of blood. Had I not been
admitted on time, I would have been comatose from
lack of oxygen. I was advised to undergo fractional
curettage because I had endometrial polyp, chronic
endocervicitis and myoma uteri.
This time, I did not question God. I know He allowedall these things to happen to make me grow stronger,
to deepen my faith, and to gain courage to face my
trials. I learned that this is just a detour in my life and it
will bring me to my God-ordained destiny.
Transported by Faith
Now Im proud to say I belong to The Feast Alabang
family where I serve as connector and lector/
commentator. Im also an assistant Caring Group head
and I preach in school during our morning praiseabout the talks given at The Feast.
God has rewarded my faithfulness and service.
In my Novena to Gods Love, I asked Him to give us a
vehicle because of my trauma with the motorcycle.
At first, I was not specific. He gave us a truck maybe
because we needed that for our business.
Later we were taught to be specific about our
prayers. I asked for an Innova so my husband and I,
together with our four children, my mother and my
sister-in-law can go to The Feast together.
Within two
months, God
answered my
prayer. Our
application for
financing was
approved. But
we only had
half the amount
for the down
payment. In
faith, Gilbert
issued a check
for the other half.
Soon after, we
were contractedfor an event and
earned enough
to fund the check. When we got the car, we said,
Lord, please take care of the monthly payment.
Then The Feast Cavite hired us weekly, which took
care of our amortizations.
With the Innova, we were able to bring not just
our family to The Feast but also my co-teachers
Many of them became regular attendees and some
are now serving, too.
It is difficult to travel on the road of faith becauseof the obstacles and the detours but I am confident
that, by Gods grace, we will be transported safely to
where He wants us to go.
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
Millete sees her trials now as preparaon for something
bigger the best that God has planned for her.
An answered prayer: a brand-new Innova
Millete with her best friends, Ditas Mayes and Gemma Benedicto o
Divine Light Academy, who brought her to the hospital on March 20,
2012.
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JESUS IN
EVERYONEThe Real Discipleship
JESUS IN
EVERYONE
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
Specialsection
Ive realized that preaching is never enough.
The Word has to become flesh.
After preaching for more than 30 years, heres
what I noticed: At first, people will listen to the message
of a messenger. But after a while, people will want
the messenger to be the message itself. The life of the
messenger must be the 3D movie of the message.
People dont really listen to words anymore. People
want to see the words becoming flesh in front of them.
Its useless to talk about Jesus if you dont become
Jesus.Unless you do that, all preaching is a noisy gong and
clanging cymbal, producing no real disciples.
Because when you get to the bottom of it, discipleship
is really friendship.
Jesus made friends with people who were far from
God sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes and many others
considered outcasts in society. Some even became His
Apostles and faithful disciples.
Friends, thats the secret of Jesus.
And He wants us to do the same.
A real disciple loves like Jesus does.
And the proof of our growing spirituality is not being
annoyed by sins committed, but acceptance of the sinner.
Lets see Jesus in everyone.
More than that, lets be Jesus to the people around us
one person at a time.
By Bo Sanchez
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KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
Specialsection
By Bo Sanchez
BRING JESUS
TO EVERYONE
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Imagine that theres this brilliant chef
who owns the secret recipe of the
most delicious pizza in the Universe.
He opens only one restaurant in Makati. No
other branches anywhere else.
The restaurants name? Forget YourName.
Why? When you sit down in the
restaurant, the waiter will give you a piece
of paper, instruct you to write your name on
that paper, and ask you to slip it into your
pocket. Because the moment you bite into
the most delicious pizza in the universe,
youll forget your name. When that happens,
you have to pull out that piece of paper fromyour pocket to remind yourself who you are.
Its such a delicious pizza that it would
seem like a crime if you didnt tell your family
about it. So, people would go home and tell
their family, You have to go to the Forget
Your Name restaurant. They have the most
delicious pizza in the universe!
So the restaurant is always overflowing
with patrons. In fact, the lines are so long,you need to wait for three hours to get in.
But one day, something weird happens.
Because the owner of the Forget Your
Name restaurant is a weird guy. It turns out
he is immensely wealthy. And he isnt in the
restaurant business for the money. He just
loves seeing people eat his pizza.
So he does something crazy: he posts
the secret recipe of the most delicious pizzain the universe on his website. Anyone can
now download the recipe the exact
ingredients, the exact measurements, the
exact temperature, every single detail.
Not only that, he also uploads on YouTube
the step-by-step video instruction of how to
make his pizza.
Now, you dont have to go to the restaurant.
If you want your family to eat the most
delicious pizza in the universe, you can cook it
right in your home.
This, my friend, is exactly what God did.
The Secret Recipe Is Out!
God is the owner of the restaurant. The Church is the
restaurant. Jesus is the pizza because the main product
of the Church is Jesus.
Let me shock you: I believe God doesnt want you to
bring people to Jesus. God wants you to bring Jesus to
people.
How? By being Jesus to somebody.
The secret recipe is out!
This is Gods battleplan to conquer the hearts of
humanity. People will get to know who God is not by
going to Church. People will get to know who God is byyou becoming Church wherever you are.
This isnt semantics. This is deep theology.
This in fact is the difference between Christianity and
other religions. In other religions, you search for God. In
Christianity, God searches for you. And even if you run
away from Him, God will chase after you.
In other religions, God is only King. But in Christianity,
God is King, yes, but a King who lays down His crown, leaves
His throne, and becomes a servant who washes the feet of
His disciples. Hes a King who is madly in love head over
heels, hopelessly smitten, diehard Suitor who will not stopat anything until He gets you.
So let me say it again: Your mission isnt to bring people
to Jesus. Your mission is to bring Jesus to people. And you
do that by being Jesus to somebody.
You Can Go Where I Cant Go
Do you want to change the world? It wont happen by a
proliferation of priests, pastors or preachers. It will only
happen by a proliferation of ordinary people (like you!)
who become Jesus to somebody.
Preachers like me cant be in your kitchen table, talking
with your kids, listening to their dreams, affirming theirworth, encouraging them to risk, accepting their wounds,
correcting them in love, awakening their values.
I cant be there. But you can.
Oh, there are some parents who think I can do that
for them. They come to me distraught, asking me to talk
to their rebellious, stubborn, misbehaving teenagers. They
want me to be their miracle man. They ask me, Bo, can
you talk some sense into my teenage son? Even just for 10
minutes. You see, he doesnt listen to me. Hes taking drugs.
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Hes not in school. Hes wasting away his life. They hope that
a 10-minute conversation with me will erase 17 years of bad
parenting. It wont work.
Yes, I can pray for him. Yes, I can listen to him. Yes, I can
be Jesus to that boy for 10 minutes. But only the parent can
be Jesus to him every day.
Preachers like me cant be in your office, supermarket,
classroom, mall, farm, factory or ship. Only you can be Jesusto those people every day.
This is Gods ultimate master plan. This is how the
Kingdom will be built: You becoming Jesus.
Yes, you!
How?
By your words. By your work. By your presence. By your
service. As a secretary, cashier, clerk, teacher, doctor, lawyer,
engineer, businessperson. More importantly, as husband,
wife, father, mother, aunt, uncle, daughter, son.
Your mission is to be Jesus to somebody.
Its Not About High StandardsI can hear you now. But Bo, Im not holy enough!
Thats OK. You dont have to be perfect to be
Jesus to somebody.
You dont have to have it all together.
Once upon a time, I didnt know that. I was brought
up to believe that to be Jesus to somebody, I shouldnt
smoke, or drink, or gamble, or go clubbing, or listen to
secular music. I was brought up to believe that to be
Jesus to somebody, I should memorize Bible verses and
talk about God the whole day.
Later on, I realized that these high standards werent
attracting unchurched people to God. They were doingthe very opposite. They were turning them off.
Hey, dont get me wrong. Personally, I neither smoke
nor drink nor gamble. But these arent the definition of a
God-follower. I believe that the only high standard that
unchurched people are attracted to is the high standard
of love.
What does it mean to be Jesus for somebody?
Only one thing.
Do you die to yourself so that others may live?
Thats what it means to be Jesus to somebody.
Whats the Main Thing?Jesus said it eloquently: By this all men will know that
you are my disciples, if you love one another (John
13:35).
He didnt say, By this all men will know that you are
my disciples, if you pray every day, or if you read the
Bible, or if you go to Mass.
The proof that youre a God-follower isnt in
your religion
but in your
relationships.
In other wordsif you want to know if
Im a God-follower
dont ask me how many hours I pray. Dont ask
me how many Bible verses I memorize. Dont ask me if
I know the right doctrines. In fact, dont ask me at all
because my answers will be biased.
Instead, ask my wife, Is your husband Jesus to you?
Ask my kids, Is your daddy Jesus to you?
Ask my mother, Is your son Jesus to you?
And ask my employees, Is your boss Jesus to you?
John Maxwell said, Be disturbed if the people who
love you the most are the people who know you theleast.
I repeat: The proof that youre a God-follower isnt in
your religion but in your relationships.
The opposite is dangerous. When religion, and not
relationship, becomes the main thing, two not-so-good
things happen:
We become prone to spiritual arrogance; and
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We make a church for religious people only.
We Become Prone to Spiritual Arrogance
If religion, not relationship, becomes the main thing, we
become proud of our religiosity.
Our religiosity becomes a barrier.
We look down at others who dont pray, or who
dont read the Bible, or who dont attend Mass, or whodont sing our songs, or who dont wear our clothes.
Because of this, the unchurched person asks a very
penetrating question: Do I really want to become like
you arrogant and condescending?
So they reject Christianity.
Something else happens when we make religion,
not relationships, the main thing of Christianity.
We Make the Church for Religious People Only
In other words, we become a church for insiders.
To be accepted in church, you have to behave in a
particular way. You have to act in a particular decorum,speak in a particular language, dress in a particular style
or youll always feel like an outsider.
But if we make loving one another the main thing of
Christianity, the Church will be the safest place on Earth
for the wounded, the lost, the messed up, the struggling,
and the sinner.
I
t h i n k
w e
n e e d
to puta big
sign on
every church door: No perfect people
allowed inside!
What is the truth? Were in church not because were
perfect but because were forgiven.
And I think this is the reason why The Feast, our
weekly prayer gathering, is growing in leaps and bounds.
When people go there, we dont ask them about
their past sins or their weaknesses we simply welcome
them and share our love with them.
Friend, your mission is to be Jesus to somebody.Start now.
Email me at [email protected] or follow me
on Facebook.
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
Bos Action Steps:
1. In your home, how can you bring Jesus to your
parents, to your siblings, and to your house
helpers?
2. What can you do to bring Jesus to your
school or office mates?
3. If youre in conflict with
somebody, be a Jesus to him/
her by approachingthat person and offering
your hand of friendship
again.
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FREEDOMBEHINDBARS
KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
They gave us a mission. We obeyed.
It was a scorching hot day when my wife
and I made our way to the New Bilibid Prisons
Maximum Security area. So many worries circled my
mind. I couldnt take fear out of the equation. What
awaits us there? How do we act? Will we be safe?
After unloading some of the goods, we found
ourselves standing in front of steel gate number 1
Prison guards searched every inch of us, making
sure that we didnt have a cell phone, camera, or anyother prohibited items. Once cleared, they marked my
wrist with a blue stamp, just like in the cinemas. Stee
gate number 2 had the same process. They searched
us again and marked my wrist with a second stamp
Finally, we made it in. We walked about 150 meters to
get to the church. I was sweating both because of the
heat and the tension I was feeling. But when we got
to the venue, everything changed. The miracle had
started.
Specialsection TESTIMONY
A testimony of the Silan Family
as told to Pia Suiza
The family that serves together stays together (L-R): Adrian, Jan, Dad Oliver,
Jallyn and Mom Belen.
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The Mission
Starting 2009, our community, Bukas Loob sa Diyos,
assigned my wife and me to be one of the three couple
heads to take charge of the Bilibid group, our prison
ministry. It was to be our designated service for three years.
Every second Saturday of the month, we, together with the
rest of the working team, hold prayer meetings, teachings,and spiritual encounters for around 300 inmates. We also
conduct the Seven Last Words during Holy Week and
gift-giving sessions during the holidays. Our main goal
is to bring the love of Christ behind bars and to give the
inmates a sense of hope amidst their situation.
What we do is we listen to their stories because its
the best way to show them that they are still worthy of
someone elses time and effort. In a way, it makes them
feel more human and less like animals in captivity.
Sometimes I also ask my son, Jan, who is a preacher
in Makati Feast Salcedo, to come with us and help out.
Its very important for the inmates to hear about Godslove and hope. This is what they cling to in order to stay
sane inside. Many inmates Ive talked with shared that
whenever they go to confession, they confess the same
sin over and over again. They ask forgiveness for the crime
they have committed, finding it hard to believe that the
Lord has forgiven them already. This is what we are called
to do: to make God real and alive behind bars.
The Miracle
Inside the prison, there are many gangs. Gangs act as a
prisoners family and protection. What amazes me is,
though the inmates come from different gangs (even rival
gangs), when they go to the prayer meetings, they are allfriends! Everyone shares one thing in common namely,
Jesus. Kapag prayer meetingna, wala nang gangs.(During
prayer meetings, there are no more gangs.) Inmates look
forward to prayer meetings. Theyd rather attend prayer
meetings than stay in their cells. It becomes their resting
place, a safe zone where they dont need to worry about
being bullied or abused.
Imagine, most maximum security inmates are serving
life sentences for murder, rape and drug-dealing, but it is
inside where I hear the best prayers ever said. Magagaling
sila magdasal. Minsan aawatin mo pa sila kasi overtime
na. (They pray good prayers. Sometimes you have to stopthem because they exceed the time limit given for prayer
meetings.)
In some gatherings, I sing to them the song, You are
loved, you are beautiful, you are loved, you are forgiven
by the mercy of God, then you will see them cry. These
are people who have committed the most heinous crimes,
but when you talk to them about God, their hearts melt
and they actually cry.
When I see these happen inside, my faith in God is
nourished even more. Im reminded that the love of God
is for everyone! He still considers them His children, no
matter what they have done. The Lords love is compassionate
and ever forgiving. He sees the person, not the sin.
The Friendship
For almost three years now, the passion for our mission in
Bilibid has grown in our hearts. What started as an obligation
became a service of love. I believe that our experience insidechanged my wife and me more than we expected. Its true
that when you give your full service to the Lord, He gives you
more in return. He made sure that we learned the three most
important lessons to be slow to judge, rich in compassion,
and abounding in loving friendship.
Tainted by our perceptions, we thought that we were
better than the people inside Bilibid. But the Lord revealed to
us that we are no different. They may have committed grievous
crimes, but at the end of the day, the same God who loves us
loves them as much, too!
Inside, I met Paul.* He was a bodyguard of a prominent
person before he was imprisoned. One day, some men attackedhis boss, so, out of his responsibility to protect him, he killed
the attackers. But instead of being grateful, his boss didnt back
him up during the trial and he ended up being charged with
murder. There are many people like Paul inside individuals
who are really innocent but were victims of injustice. My heart
bleeds for them every time, but my wife and I cling to the
promise of God that His compassion is greater and more
powerful than any injustice of the world. Through these people,
the compassionate face of God is revealed to us all the more.
During gift-giving every Christmas, you will see inmates
happily kissing the canned goods given to them. You see that
these people are deprived of the simplest things, even food.
Kung walang dalaw, wala silang pambili ng masarap na pagkain.(If they dont have any visitors, they wont have any money
to buy good food.) You will realize that they are imprisoned
in every aspect of their lives, deprived of everything that is
good. This is where our perception about serving changed.
These people dont need grand things. They need love and
compassion the exact things the Lord is offering them.
I have shared with my whole family the mission of taking
care of these people and, by doing so, our whole family is
blessed beyond measure. The intercessory ministry inside
Bilibid always prays for me and my family. They would ask me,
O, kamusta na si Adrian (my son)? Pinagdadasal namin siya
araw-araw (Hows your son Adrian? We pray for him every day).They even grew a medicinal plant for us, which we use now
at home. Im very happy that the Lord uses my whole family
to share friendship with the prisoners ofBilibid. The freedom
that they feel during services is enough motivation for us to
keep doing what we are doing because there is nothing more
fulfilling than to be part of Gods family.
With Gods grace, there is nothing that can separate
brothers and sisters in Christ.
They gave us a mission. We love. He succeeds.
*Not his real name
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KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
Specialsection
By Bo Sanchez
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OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
I
love this passage: Live such good lives
among the pagans that, though they
accuse you of doing wrong, they may
see your good deeds and glorify God on the
day he visits us (1 Peter 2:12).
Good deeds, not good debates, will open
peoples hearts to God. I believe it is service,
not sanctity, that will touch lives.
Dont misunderstand me. I use the word
sanctity the way its commonly
understood someone who is
pious. But in my mind, sanctity
has a more robust meaning:
someone who serves.
I love the story of Jesus
washing His disciples feet. In
biblical times, there were four
ranks of slaves. Only the lowest
ranking slave washes feet. Jesus
took that role and said, I have set
you an example that you should
do as I have done for you (John
13:15).
Jesus didnt just teach a way of life and
said, Do this. Jesus served us, and then
said, Follow me.
How do you serve?
There are two ways of becoming Jesus to
somebody: through the heart and the hand.
The heart is the personal side of arelationship.
The hand is the practical side of a
relationship.
You need both to be Jesus to somebody.
The Heart
One day, in a busy airport, a little boy was running
to his mother holding a completed jigsaw puzzle in
his hands. He was shouting, I finished it, Mommy
I finished it!
But at that precise moment, a businessman was
also running, trying to catch his flight.
And the two crossed each others paths. Wham
The boys jigsaw puzzle flew into the air and hit
the floor, its tiny pieces scattering in different
directions.
The businessman said to the boy, Im sosorry He went on his knees and picked up the
small jigsaw puzzle pieces.
And patiently, he put puzzle back together
again.
After 15 minutes, it was done. It was obvious
now that the businessman had missed his flight
And he should have been angry and frustrated
Yet, he didnt know why, but he wasnt. In fact, he
felt happy that he wasted his time doing a jigsaw
puzzle with a kid.When the man stood up, the little boy stood up
as well. He looked at the towering figure for a brief
moment, and asked a question that blew the man
away.
The boy asked him, Are you Jesus?
Somehow the boy knew that when he met
compassion and kindness, he was in the presence
of Jesus.
To be Jesus to somebody, you need to give
your heart. The heart is the personal side of arelationship. Affection. Warmth. Touch.
But you also need to give your hand.
The Hand
Im the head of my family. Im a husband and father
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KERYGMA OCTOBER 2012
And I need to spend time with my wife and my kids. Thats a no
negotiable thing I have to do.
But imagine this scene.
One morning, my wife tells me, Bo, we have no food in t
house anymore. I need to buy groceries but we dont have monAnd I tell her, What are you complaining about, sweetheart?
always here at home, spending time with you and the kids
hours a day, seven days a week.
Theres something wrong with the picture.
To be a Jesus to somebody, you need to give the ha
too. The hand is the practical side of the relationship
Excellence. Development. Achievement.
Are you a doctor? An engineer? A teacher?
businessman?
In your job, God calls you to be Jesus to someboHow? Give your heart and give your hand. Be excell
in all that you do. Thats the hand. But give your he
too. Do it with warmth, compassion, acceptance a
openness.
Last Word: Who Was Jesus to You?
Look back into your life.
Someone became Jesus to you
You came to know Gods Lo
because somebody loved y
without condition.
I think of my dad. He was
from perfect. He never express
his love for me by hugging me
saying, I love you. But boy,
he spend time with me wh
I was a kid.
He was Jesus to me.
I think of my mom. Agashe has many weakness
But Mom loves me. At
she prays for me bef
the Blessed Sacram
every single day. (Wh
she has extra time, s
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straight As there from then on.
That professor was Jesus to me.
Let me ask you: Who was Jesus to you?
Thank God for each one of those people.
And every day, resolve to be Jesus tosomebody.
You dont have to be perfect.
You just have to love them in your
imperfect way.
Email me at [email protected] or follow
me on Facebook.
OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
BOS ACTION STEPS:
1. Look back at your life. Who was Jesus
to you? Say a special prayer for that
person today.
2. How have you given your heart to thepeople God has placed around you? If
you havent, start doing now.
3. How have you served others? Think
of what you can do using your God-
given talents and skills to help other
people. Then do it now.
prays for my sisters, too.) When Im preaching
somewhere, I know that Mom is praying for me,
and that gives me strength.
Mom is Jesus to me.
I think of my wife. She, too, has manyweaknesses. (And if you think Ill enumerate
them to you now, think again. Id rather be
thrown into a pool of hungry piranhas than face
my angry wife asking me what I wrote about
her.)
But she does something that astounds me
to no end. When I tell her my preposterous, out-
of-this-world, big, hairy, audacious dreams,
she doesnt laugh. She doesnt guffaw and roll
on the floor. She smiles, looks at me, grips myhand, and says, Theyll come true.
My wife is Jesus to me.
I think of my professor in my Masters in
Theology course. I wasnt even supposed to be
there. I had failing grades in grade school, high
school and college. I didnt even finish college.
I was just taking the Masters course because I
wanted to study about God.
But my professor, a priest, called me into his
office. He said he saw brilliance in me. (Huh?) He
said, After your Masters in Theology, go back to
college and get your diploma. And then well
send you to Europe to finish your Doctorate in
Theology. Theres this great school there. Well
pay for everything.
I wanted to tell him, Are you sure youre
talking to the right person? Im not a good
student. Im a dunce. Pull out my transcript of
records. Its all there displayed in flaming redglory.
But he saw something in me that I didnt see
in myself.
That professors perspective of me changed
my life forever. After taking up my Masters, I
went back to college with a vengeance. I got
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OCTOBER 2012 KERYGMA
away to relatives. Meanwhile, my mother and I
had to stay with an aunt In Manila, and there, my
longing for KLIM heaven was rekindled.
At my aunts home, KLIM abounded in the
kitchen, and my cousins could enjoy it anytime.
Being nonmembers of their family, my mother
told me not to touch the can of milk because itwasnt ours. To alleviate my craving, Id volunteer
to wash the dishes just so I could scoop out milk
residues that got stuck at the bottom of my
cousins glasses. Just doing that already made my
day.
One time, I found myself alone in the kitchen
just me and a big can of KLIM. As I turned to
leave, it was like the big can was hypnotizing
me, calling my name: EdwinEdwin Having
a deep relationship with KLIM, I knew, just by
tapping onto the can, if it was full or not. *Tuk!* It
was full. With excitement, I removed the lid, dug
out a spoonful, and stuck it in my mouth.The next minute was a blur. Everything
happened in a snap. Aha! Ikaw pala ang
nagnanakaw ng KLIM! (So its you whos been
stealing the KLIM!) my aunt yelled. The next thing
I knew, my mother was beating me up for what
I did. She had warned me before. Her spanking
hurt, but I knew that she w
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