kadjo

My PLDT fibre line is off again, this is 5th time this year that the internet that I'm subscribing with is off and a bit frustrating since you've paid enough, trust them they can help you on this online job. I have a backup line pre-paid globe wifi which I'm loaded few weeks ago and also a prepaid smartbro. Funny both of them is crawling :D but at least it allows me to post this.

Todays Gospel starts with the word of Dear Jesus to all, "If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget himself carry his cross and follow me." I've been memorizing this though I dont know the verse number of that word but it still reminds me. As the Catholics enter this lenten season, reflecting on those words that every actions of our life , mine especially, calls to be with him whatever the decisions that needs to do. Only through him, I will be prosperous.

"What profit is there for one to gain the whole world,yet lose or forfeit himself?" - indeed.

Somebody quoted this long ago, I think some priest-turned-rebel in Visayas who quoted this.  I dont know what happened to that guy but judging on what is currently happening on the communist movement, its seems a very frustrating path to go, and seems hopeless.

Faith with Him that we holds is always full of hope. And I see for myself the various miracles of life, even to the smallest happening in my life.

This event of not having a good internet, I just dont know, but there are positive things that you will only see once you see the other side of the event.

Id like to quote V.I. Lenin, one of the name in Marxist-Leninist-Maoist movement, "I made a mistake. Without doubt, an oppressed multitude had to be liberated. But our method only provoked further oppression and atrocious massacres. My living nightmare is to find myself lost in an ocean of red with the blood of innumerable victims. It is too late now to alter the past, but what was needed to save Russia were ten Francis of Assisi’s"

I hope and pray that our nation Philippines stays in course with Him, sharing the blessings this life. God blesses us all.

kadjo

Today is St Patricks day the Bishop of Ireland, one-man-forthress against various paganism in the early Ireland in his missionary days.

Gospel also talks about Jesus transfiguration in the presence of the three apostle. 

I have my 5 days a sort of vacation in my parents house there in South Cotabato, thanks to my lovely wife for allowing me to do so.  I have to walk all the way from my parents house to farm, its a 5 kilometers walk encountering those people that i known there, talk with them early in the morning, because I have to walk there at around 5am. A sort of rest day for me although i still have to work online as my regular schedule. 

In the Gospel, the three apostle had to endure a walk and have to climb the mountain and maybe wondering why they have to do so. At the end of the journey, they were so overwhelmed to see the splendor of being with God. I believe that moment stays with them forever and that they have to share that moment, informing us that we belong on the glorious place with God.  

The reading I have shared this: 

"So why did Jesus give these Apostles this very brief experience of His glory?  Because they would need that taste of His goodness for the road ahead.  They would need to forever remember what their final destiny was.  They would need to hold this experience close as they endured the many crosses and sufferings ahead.  And they would use this experience to remind themselves that whatever they had to endure on the journey up the mountain of life is worth it.  Because on the summit is a glory so great that no hardship they would have to endure would ever prove to be too big."

The long and ardous journey in the life of the apostles ended their life very fruitful, thus we have our Catholic church.  St. James, the first apostle to be martyred, died in beheading in 44 AD by Herod. St. Peter was crucified downward by Nero,  13 October AD 64. From the three who witness the transfiguration, the only left to die naturally is St. John the Evangelist -  St. John of Patmos.  All of them lead a good life, die a good death although some were violently and helps our Church endure up to this moment. 

May we find our life very worthy of enduring whatever struggles we are facing at the moment. Lets look forward for that glorious day with Him.  Like the apostles who witness the transfiguration, like St. Patrick the missionary in Ireland, let the glorious moment they see, gives us more hope to our future place and the end of our life.

God blesses us all. 

kadjo

For calling priest "father" - https://www.catholic.com/tract/call-no-man-father