HOW TO FIGHT THE NEW WORLD ORDER

One of the blogs I'm following is http://catholicknight.blogspot.com. This is one of the latest blogs posted which is very helpful.


1. PRAY - Only God can deliver us from our enemies.

2. Get involved in your local parish church -- stay involved!

3. Get your kids out of government schools (use private, religious or home school instead.)

4. Turn off the television, and limit TV time.

5. Don't watch or listen to corporate/government news (CNN, FoxNews, ABC, NBC, CBS, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, etc.)

6. Get your news from selected private (non-corporate owned) news agencies, blogs and publications on the Internet and from short-wave radio.

7. Buy everything you can from locally owned businesses. (Avoid "big-box" superstores and large franchise chains.)

8. Invest your money in a local credit union or savings and loan. (Do not use banks!)

9. Always vote for politicians and laws that uphold SUBSIDIARITY as their guiding principle.

10. Join local (peaceful & non-violent) Christian movements that strive for political independence and secession from larger super-states.

11. Connect with others culturally and try to rebuild the Christian culture of your local ancestors.

12. GET THE WORD OUT and tell others about these twelve steps to fighting the New World Order.

These twelve steps may be copied and distributed freely.



COPIED FROM:

http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-fight-new-world-order.html

Brev Stages of Life Explained

As explained by brev Mark Robe, below are the 9 stages a Brev undergoes.  We could see here that every brev experiences the same stages any other soul who is establishing a relationship with God.

Brev Stages of Life Explained

Being a brev for ten years now, I couldn’t help but notice the lives of all the brevs that I meet each day.  It seemed so familiar year after year.  I wanted to share this with you readers for you to understand and know where you are now with your life as a member of the Breviarians.

First stage (Curiosity)

Here are some familiar lines I usually hear regarding the Brevs.

Ÿ  Hey, what is a brev? 

Ÿ  What does this group offer that makes these young people smile? 

Ÿ  There are so many young people there, how do they do it? 

Ÿ  They photocopy their song sheets by the thousands; they should be called “Xeroxians” instead. 

Ÿ  They enjoy singing in masses although they’re not professional singers yet I am touched by the way they sing. 

Ÿ  They’re proud of what they do…they don’t show shame at all.

Ÿ  Hey there are good looking people there, I wanna join them!  I wanna see my crush! 

Ÿ  They do concerts yearly though not so many people attend, for what? 

Ÿ  Whoa, they have a radio program?

Yup, I do admit this group became known from the above remarks and I tell you there’s more where that came from but that might fill this month’s issue.  To cut it all short curiosity initiates the brevity of the Spirit.  Our natural instinct to be curious of something is actually God calling you to this group.  He uses this human feeling and draws people closer to the Breviarians.  I have to say, there are so many mysteries in this group that we could not help but be curious about.  Yet we can just conclude it as the work of God.  Hey, where have you seen a choir sing with less trained singers and still gets complemented for touching them when this group sings.  Then make a concert with no funds to start with.  It’s not boasting but I’m merely sharing because I for one am surprised with these occurrences.  Well if you’re still curious now, the answer is due to our joy and love in God’s service that makes everything possible.  That’s why when someone asks us what a brev is we just answer, “Come and see!”

Second stage (In with the Brevs)

Simple initiation…“If you are willing to love and make friends in God’s service then you’re in!”  Openness is the key to this stage.  Those who respond to their curiosity now gets to see first hand the group that sets an impression on them.  I’m not saying that those who did not reach this stage do not respond to God’s call.  They on the other hand have their own mission for God.  They are most of the people that God has granted to help other people to be curious with the brevs.  They might say some good or bad things against the group but they are the ones who sets the seed of curiosity to the other young people called by God to this group.  In other words, they are still God’s gift to the group. 

First of, the new members gets to be introduced to the group with welcoming applauses and warmth friendship.  They get to see the comedic insets of Bro.A, Kuya Buttercup, Kuya Rodge, and Kuya Paeng.  The amazing voice of Ate Grace with her unforgettable clumsy and “wa poise” antics which adds a spice to the group.  The musical wit of Ate Shobe on different instruments, especially on guitars, with her “Little Shobe” students holding wind instruments.  The Kuya Kardo of all traits with the initial notion of “suplado” effect to the new members.  The smiling, prayerful, holy first impression on Ate Chachi.  Yup, all these catches your attention and that’s just the start.  The new members meet the rest of the brevs who have more things to offer too!  I won’t write everything because this might destroy our “Come and see” invitation.  All starts to feel welcomed and appreciated.  They meet all these young people full of energy and joy.  Friendship thus is felt.  The Brev Culture is supposed to be manifested here by the old members to the new.  That is, pagmamano, saying “otcho”, cross arms during prayers and the like.  You’ll get to know much more of these when you join this group.  Non-exclusivity of the brevs will be felt!  This means all are welcome not only Catholics(even athiests are welcome), not only rich kids, not only sane people, not only healthy people, and not only the young people (this means if you’re young at heart then you’re welcome no matter what age).  In this stage the members are full of joy with the new found friends they have.  They are now in with the brevs!

Third Stage (Joy in Service)

Wow, now that you’ve met the brevs better, you now find yourself in the service.  Hey I’m part of the mass now.  Great new youthful songs to learn and interest is roused.  The new members now have moved out of their shells, their comfort zones and now find themselves diverting the focus to the service they’re doing.  I would like to clear again that those who have not reached this stage is a “pasaway” or the unfriendly type because they don’t like how the brevs treat each other.  Their path was made by God to a different direction.  Some lose interest immediately without reaching this stage.  However, Brevs was a mini-stop for them to see a different spirituality that might help them grow in another group.  Or, a seed needs to be planted in their hearts and the brevs, in a little way, may have helped plant that seed for others to water and nurture.  They might not have felt it but God works in little and simple ways we might not easily understand.

Now with those who have reached this stage, they enjoy themselves with the services they do.  They sing at daily and Sunday masses, weddings, wake services, and Easter and Christmas carols.  They become part of the Mass and become collectors, lectors/readers, sacristan, and offers the offering during Offertory.  They join First Friday pilgrimages and pray daily the Rosary and the Breviary/Liturgy of the Hours.  They attend the missions to other schools like that of our mission at Balatoc.  They are like being pushed to do these things with the joy they have experienced on the previous stage.  What they sometimes not realize is that God is the one setting their hearts aflame to be zealous in service.

Fourth Stage (The “XY” factor)

This stage raises the most important question in our lives…“why”.  This is the “X” mark of being a brev meaning this is an essential stage.  Sadly most members stop at this point because they feel that what they are doing is pointless and already redundant.  This is caused by not being able to ask themselves why do I do this?  This is critical to the members who have not yet established a deep faith in their services and prayers.  Those brevs who only end up being happy in the third stage and lacked the interest to explore the services more will eventually lose interest and becomes what we call “Luli” “lulubog-lilitaw” members.  Meaning, they just show up when they feel like it.  However, I am not saying that they are not welcome anymore.  We continue to pray that their zeal for service might turn to a zeal to understand the services they do.  Ask yourself why you do these services and why you pray these prayers. Why do you go to mass, to first Friday vigils, and to missions?  These questions are supposedly answered during the Meeting of the Brevs (MOB) and mostly in our immersion camp the Breviarian Big Tent Festival.  Most of the brevs do not attend these activities and are left hanging with these questions.  Not seeing the importance of these activities, they continue to serve with no meaning but with only joy to strengthen them.  But joy is only for the third stage.  The need to dig in deeper should be awakened.  When you eat a fruit you don’t enjoy eating it by just chewing, however savoring the juice from the fruit gives you a more appealing taste and makes you want to eat more.  The chewing only gives you strain and loss of interest if you do not stop and take effort to extract the juicy part of it.  Same true with our services, missions, and prayers.  We need to reflect on our lives why we joined the brevs and why do we need this group.  Understand yourself and the group.  Continue asking yourself why. Your service, mission and prayers go up to a whole new level of meaning and depth when you do this.  You would even have the knowledge of Christianity and begin to love your beliefs.  I will not answer the why’s in this article.  It is up to you to attend the MOB and Big Tent Festival to ask your why’s to our speakers.  Also, the asking does not stop with these activities.  The brev leaders can help you look for these answers.  They can only help but the answer will be given by God personally to you.  That I can guarantee, as long as you are willing to ask.

Fifth Stage (High in the Spirit)

A whole new level of happiness!  I tell you that once you’ve  reached this stage you’d always want to come back.  This is the stage where you feel that your soul is in a bliss and you’d feel God in your lives.  You get to feel His presence.  Conversion usually takes place here.  You’d want to be so righteous and you’d ask for God more.  You’d long for Him.  Everything seems perfect and nothing seems to go wrong.  You get the urge to praise Him more and sing songs more sincerely.  You’d feel stronger.  This is a glimpse of heaven.  However, one should not make the mistake of longing to stay with this stage forever.  We are on a journey.  Our lives are like deserts with a number of oasis that keeps us going on.  These oasis are given to quench our thirst but never to fully satisfy us.  If we just choose to stay in this heightened state and don’t give effort to finish the journey, we completely lose the essence of our lives.  Our end goal is the true heaven and not just a glimpse of it.  After experiencing this stage many of our fellow brevs just wants to be high in the Spirit and not finish the trials ahead.  I for one did not want to leave this stage.  I kept looking for a path with no suffering.  Most don’t face the challenges.  Friends, we need to move forward.  This stage is a gift from God but a gift that will give you only a touch of His love.  More of this will come when we finish our journey.  Still, enjoy this stage when you reach it.

Sixth Stage (Devil’s Ultimate Test)

The climax of our lives.  This is the time to see how far is your faith.  The devil becomes active in his persecutions and oppressions.  A long stage in the life of a brev.  Many would backslide from this stage and many would just give up.  Some would just go back to the third stage and others would get lost back to the fourth stage.  Others more just don’t come back to the group in search of themselves.  This is the time where we are tested on our weakness.  Leaving us either stronger or weaker in our lives.  Our Blessed Virgin Mary have also undergone this test based on the book “Mother Mary as seen by the Mystics”.  When she was still a child, she was able to talk to her angels and to God Himself because of her purity and innocence.  She was so joyful and enthusiastic to know that God and her angels are there for her.  One day God put her to the test.  God suppressed Himself from her and ordered her angels not to talk to her.  Mama Mary was troubled.  She called her angels but no one answered.  She asked God why He was doing this to her but still no answer.  She was deeply troubled and began reflecting to herself if she had done something wrong.  She examined her conscience and asked God to forgive her if she had offended Him.  Still no word from either her angels nor God.  With this she began to do acts of repentance and began to humble herself more.  Some of her friends who were jealous of her holiness began to oppress her and they would gang up against her and would try to even hurt her.  Amidst all this our Mama Mary humbled herself more and accepted everything.  She even apologized to the girls who hurt her and said “I am sorry if I have offended you in any way.  Please teach me how to be better for I am a sinner.”  I was amazed at the humility of Mama Mary upon reading this.  God was also hurt to see Mama Mary being oppressed and tested by the devil but God knew this has to be done to make her stronger.  To cut it all short, Mama Mary received all sufferings, oppressions and trials with full humility and love.  She only thought that she deserved all that because she was just a lowly servant of God and that she had offended Him.  When Mama Mary was at the brink of all these sufferings, the time that one may have already surrendered, she cried her heart out and said “My Lord I deserve this for I am a sinner.”  I was astonished by this statement.  I thought she would give up and plead to God to forgive her but she accepted everything and was still willing to suffer more.  At this, God could not take it anymore.  He showed Himself and embraced Mama Mary and her angels began to show themselves to her again.

My fellow brevs, Mama Mary’s weakness was the absence of God.  However, she showed more humility, perseverance and hope that one day God would again talk to her.  This point in our lives, where God allows the devil to oppress us and use our weaknesses as our downfall, is where we either become stronger or weaker in faith.  The ultimate test is the climax.  The turning point of our lives.  Our weaknesses like pride, lust, expectations from our families, seeking of attention, relationships, anger, jealousy, too much dependent on God and many others are our bondages in life.  We need this ultimate test to conquer our weaknesses.  We need to know that this has to come in our lives and we need to go out of this victoriously.  This does not take a day, a week or even a year to conquer depending on the level of faith that you have.  Mama Mary took also a long time before God eventually appeared to her.  God acknowledged Mama Mary’s humility in undergoing this test and Mama Mary humbled herself more.  Never give up on this stage.  You are almost there.  When we conquer this stage, we can conquer any other test in our lives.  Humble yourself like Mama Mary and accept all sufferings.  The good thing with us is that we have the brevs to help you with this.  It takes a series of formations and prayers to help you in the devil’s ultimate test.  When we have finally passed this test, God will again embrace you and heal the wounds of your suffering.  Blessings and graces will overflow from your proving of your faith to God.  This is the time that we die to ourselves and live in Christ.  I would recommend you reading the life of Tobit in the Bible and his extreme test of faith and how God blessed him more in the end.

Seventh Stage (Climbing to Holiness)

First of all I would already tell you honestly that I haven’t reached this stage.  How I am writing this comes from the wisdom of God.  He had shown me this from my reflections and prayers.  This is the hope He has given me if I were to surpass the devil’s ultimate test.  I congratulate the people who have reached this stage.  Your journey to holiness is almost complete.  The mountain of suffering you are now climbing will be your last step of journey.  This is the time that you collect yourself after a heavy war that you have encountered during the sixth stage.  Effects of post wars are hard like building back your destroyed house, making a new living, getting back your life and the like.  In our spiritual life we rebuild ourselves but now the hope is there that we can make it.  God is there with you to help you throughout your journey.  As I have said earlier you will still climb a mountain of suffering but you will be able to handle everything as long as you remember what you have experienced in the sixth stage and how you have proven yourself worthy.  It is very important that you remember what you have learned in the prior stage and how strong you have become to prove your love for God.  Hope should always be present here and know that God will be with you always.  I guess as for me I am still stuck at the bottom of the mountain and still don’t know how to climb it because I am still struggling to fight on the sixth stage.  I too have backslides from the sixth down to the third stage and repeatedly undergo my trials in life.  However, I still pray that I may be like my Mama Mary full of humility and love.

Eighth Stage (Corporate Sainthood)

The primary goal and dream of the Breviarians.  A group made of saints that would help make a difference in the world.  A corporate sainthood that will proclaim God’s love to all people.  With the services that we do and the prayers that we say, may God’s love be like a disease that spreads rapidly to all people.  We envision this corporate sainthood to be an instrument of conversion to people.  Just as the mere sight of a saint brings conversion to many people, what more if a group of saints comes to you and sing songs of praise to God.  We always say in our group, “I hope we see each other in heaven.”  In this group we share our wings with each other to help us reach heaven.  I do hope many other young people will still join this group and make a difference in the lives of all people.  Let us proclaim God’s love hand in hand and be His instruments of conversion.

Ninth Stage (Cloud 9)

What more can I say but…HEAVEN!

Ascension Sunday Message (email from Brev Lookie)

A blessed Sunday to all Brevs!

Fall in love with God as we pray the Breviary (Liturgy of the Hours).

Today we remember how Jesus was taken up to Heaven before the eyes of
His disciples. He leaves them with the mission, "Go then, to all
disciples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to
obey everything I have commanded you." (Mt. 28:19-20a). This mission
was passed on to us as we accepted the role of being God's disciples.

As Brevs, we reach out to all people to let them know of God's love
and mercy thru our services and way of life. Whether we like it or
not, we have been tasked to make disciples of every person we meet.
How? By the way we live our life and by the way we speak. There's no
need to go out in the middle of the streets shouting God's message. We
can do it in our own simple ways. We can do it by how we do our work,
how we deal with our friends, how we relate with our families, how we
forgive those who have wronged us and how we reach out with those who
are in need.

St. Therese of Lisieux did it in her own simple ways. Look at how she
became a saint because of her so called "little ways". In her quest
for sanctity, she believed that it was not necessary to accomplish
heroic acts, or "great deeds", in order to attain holiness and to
express her love of God. She wrote,

   "Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great
deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by
scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every
glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."

Simply live a good life and others will follow. Remember always that
doing God's mission is attainable. It can be done by all. The great
thing is God has equipped us with the necessary tools to do His work,
through your talents, attitude and virtues.

Live a blessed life and never forget your best weapon. Prayers!

God bless everyone!

Breviarianly yours,
brev LooKie

FILLING IN THE NEED – A Higher Calling

         By declaring and claiming the identity of being a Breviarian means acquiring the duty of being soldiers of Christ.  As a Brev, we are responding to a higher calling of filling in the needs of our dear Mother Church.  This higher calling has a special vow attached to it – availability (thanks bro.A!).  It does not mean however that you are always physically present, but that availability to go the extra mile in answering to a certain call in the most creative way possible you can think of or inspired to do.  It may sound difficult, but saying “Yes” to God gives you a special anointing to carry out a task He requires of us.  We could make many excuses of turning our backs to a certain call, but when God chooses you, that means there is no other person who can actually do the way you are capable of doing.  Question is:  Can He count on you?

                “Filling in the Need” may have become a cliché in our community but let us be reminded that this is one of the basic reasons why we existed and are still existing.  God continues to call us because the work He has for us is not done yet.  Rest is in heaven.  God has given us this special grace to recognize a unique path to sainthood – making each moment of our lives a DIVINE APPOINTMENT...a priority above all as we have to PUT HIM FIRST in everything.  [M.O.B.] – Make good Or make room But don’t make excuses!

                When we took the name Brevs, it did not only mean we are to be active Catholics.  It called us to be REAL sons and daughters of the Father.  Have the faith that the Holy Spirit moves in our lives, thus, we are expected more than the ordinary...because we can....because He chose us.

                Maybe we do have our own wills and personal plans, but God gives us more than we can understand.  So when God calls, are we willing to obey and make His plans our own?  Can we say, “READY” like Abraham?  Can we leave our nets IMMEDIATELY like Peter?  Are we willing to follow Him in any road and obeying at any cost?  Or are we like those who were willing to follow but had to take care of some matters before being ready?  Because He was not part of our current schedule?  What is our priority? Let us be reminded that in the end, our relationship with God matters most.  

                We are indeed challenged to prove our love to God.  Is He still number one in our lives?  With all the wonderful things we do in our lives, at the end of the day, can we say we were working according to His holy will?  Or were we just relying on our own understanding and putting all human efforts to do something successful leaving no space for Him to work with us? Let us not forget that He is our partner; not merely a Master.

                The task is most of the time toilsome yet it is full of His loving surprises.  There is no specific perfect time when to respond to God’s call of love as each moment of our lives is GOD’S APPOINTED TIME.  We may feel unworthy, we may feel small, we may think we may be emotionally compromised (like me J)...we may make the biggest mistakes  or even become everyone’s heartaches...but never fail to trust in His mercy for He will see us through because He alone knows what each of us can do.  

                We have our motto:  Nothing but the Best for God!  Oh yes, in everything we have to prepare ourselves like real soldiers and just wait until the Lord has in need of us.  That’s the way DAVID prepared himself.  He was young and was just a shepherd boy, but he was anointed and had great faith in God.  When the battle was set before him, he recognized the call and responded bravely and immediately because he knew that God was on his side and while he took pleasure on His blessings, he wanted to prove God that He could also count on him.  The victory was not that he defeated Goliath.  It was more of being there when THE appointed time came for him for God’s glory to manifest. 

                So you see, we don’t wait until the storm has passed or if we are ready, healed or perfect before we start serving or loving God.  We don’t wait for the others to change or to go first before we respond.  Again, it is between you and God.  Our READY YES is more than enough for His grace to overflow and use us in His own unique way.  And for those who think that we have given our best and have responded to a call in the past, be reminded that while we carry the name BREVIARIANS, the call of making a difference in this world to make manifest the glory of God never ends as long as we are able to breathe.  

                You are called...you are anointed...you are chosen.  Once a Brev always a Brev.

              

                HAPPY EASTER!  Brev It On!

                               

                               

               

TWO CROSSES

                I got this privilege of attending my first Lenten recollection this year with Bro. Arun Gogna, a Kerygma preacher, as speaker at Casiciaco Recolletos Seminary last March 18, 2011 with the theme:  Recollection, Healing, Forgiveness.  Bro. Arun Gogna spoke about the two kinds of crosses – Cross of Rejection (Hestas’ Cross) and the Cross of Reconciliation (Dimas’ Cross).  Here are some important points and personal reflections I got from it.

Cross of Rejection – Hestas’ Cross

We reject Christ when...

1.        We choose self-righteousness.  When we claim that we are all-knowing, we stop learning, thus failing to gain wisdom.  Pride resides in our hearts.  When we are very much self-righteous, we are in danger of giving judgement to others forgetting that we, too, committed mistakes in our lives.  And though we may think we have sinned less than the others, we should not be blinded by our own prejudice as we do not know the heart of the other.  Always remember that Jesus came for the sinners.  He loves sinner as much as the righteous.  It is so sad that many times, we look others with rejection as we are too focused on our own “perfection.”  Hestas was self-righteous.  While he was hanging on the cross, his pride made him insult the Savior when he doubted Jesus’ identity as the Messiah.  He challenged Jesus to save Himself.  He was not able to recognize his Savior.

2.       We choose to hate rather than wait.  Bad things may happen but the greatest miracle God is actually doing everyday is drawing good from evil.  A lot of times, our miseries make us hate life, ourselves, other people and even God. Hate takes over us and we eventually fail to see the good that is unfolding from unpleasant situations.  We forget that there is a God Who is simply there working amazingly for our own good.  When we are angry, God understands.  He patiently waits for us.  He wants to listen.  When we go near Him even with all these negative feelings that we have, He is pleased because we are honest.  He will make us understand and turn the negative to something positive...if only we go near Him. 

3.       We choose to procrastinate. Maybe it is culture.  Maybe it is just a bad habit.  But we are so full of it.  We love postponing things.  Is it laziness?  The enthusiasm we have easily wears out in us and then we delay the things we ought to do.  We need to keep in mind that time is really valuable.  It is not because we are young that we have all the time in the world.  We do not know when we will be called “home’ so whatever we need to do at the moment, we should do.  We do not want regrets in our lifetime.

4.       We always complain.  Let us not be a problem expert.  Problem experts are people who always see problems and focus too much on that.  They are negative thinkers and result to self-pity and depression.  The problem is too big that sometimes even solutions become problems.  Be a blessing expert instead.  It may be our habit to always see things on the darker side but we have to break such inclination.  We must always remind ourselves that our blessings outnumber our problems.  There are a lot of things to thank God for.  And when we focus on our blessings, more blessings are poured out for us.  There will be better days when we welcome blessings. 

Cross of Reconciliation – Dimas’ Cross

1.     When we respect God as God.  We have to understand the role of God in our lives.  Recognize that we are His children.  When we do, we should believe that sin does not suit us. 

2.       When we admit our guilt.  We have to take responsibility of our sins.  We know that there are consequences to our actions and we have to accept and face them with all humility.

3.       When we confess Christ.  Make it a habit to praise Christ.    

FROM FAST! TO PRESENT!

           

            It's Lenten Season!  Let me share to you an article written by our 2011 Camp Director, Brev Buttercup on Fasting and Abstinence...

Whenever we hear the word "fasting" a certain norm cooks up inside our mind... Yup fasting is equivalent to... (drum roll please...) Food! It always reminds us of food. Hmmm... The taste, aroma, the satisfaction and for health buffs the nutrients we get, for thrifty people: that is, if the price is right... Refer to the articles of my good friend brevaya, and you'll be grabbing a snack before finishing to read this article; but wait, aren't you curious on what fasting really is? Do we really need to do it? What do we get if we fast? When do we fast?

            I asked around on what people think about fasting and here is what they got to say:

"Not going to eat" - Dhes, 22

"Is an expression of sacrifices, because of the sins we commit"- Joel, 25

“Eating one square meal a day”- Geo, 56

“Skip a meal, no meat” – Jara, 21

“Not doing the things I like”- Ann, 56

“Sacrifice” – Junel, 21

“to do the things you need to do” – Sami, 21

            Interesting don't you think? Each one of us have different interpretations, some may have different rituals regarding fasting. I personally have been intrigued about fasting. So, I decided to do some research, to know the answers to the questions most of us are passive to ask about.

Number one passive question, what is fasting?

Mr. Webster defined fasting as:

- To abstain from food, either entirely or partly;

- An act of abstinence form food;

- A period of time during which adherents of a faith are required to abstain from food.

     

Basing from these definitions, clearly fasting is really connected to food. Why? Simply because food is one of our basic needs, I believe the most important. Without it, we die… as simple as that! And most of us really find pleasure in Eating (Agree?). That is why; even the Lord Jesus Christ chose to become bread thru the Holy Eucharist. So that we can be one with him in Communion, nourishing us not only physically but also Spiritually. In addition, one of the seven capital sins is Gluttony which is also associated greatly with food (but that’s a different story). As for me, fasting is depriving ourselves with the things that pleasure us so much. A form of detachment to the obsessions, mania, or craze we have. A sacrifice we can offer to God.

Number two passive question, do we really have to? 

The answer… NO! We don’t have to, (yeeeeahhh! Yahooooo! Wait, breathe… there’s more…) we don’t have to, if we are SINLESS. Try assessing yourself first; have you committed no sin at all? No offense to God, our creator or to any of our brothers and sisters? In thought or deed? (Pause here. Assess... then continue reading…) now that you have assessed yourself, well I guess the answer is…. YES! We have to! (why the sad face? Smile…)

Let see what the Catechism of the Catholic Church have to say about Fasting… under the “Forms of Penance in Christian Life” – the interior Penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer and almsgiving.³¹which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. Meaning, fasting is one way of expressing our conversion. It is a proof of Love for God, and hate For Sin, Sin that separates us from the image and likeness of God. Although we have committed sin, when we fast we tell God of our deep regret, asking him to have mercy and take us back again. Fasting combined with prayer and the sacrament of Reconciliation will lead to the forgiveness of our sins and to be with communion with God, again.

Moreover, according to the “Precepts of the Church” (Obligatory positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities meant to guarantee the faithful the necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth of love of God and neighbor) namely the Fourth Precept (“You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepares us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.⁸⁵

Then fasting also teaches us to master over our desires and “freedom of heart” or the things that pleasures us the most. This does not only entail food but, other worldly pleasures, such as TV-for TV addicts, Texting for the “kiti-kitexters”, video games for 24-hour gamers to name a few. Mastering over this desires leads to self –control, which directs us to a wholly and holy life. Yup! Even Jesus Christ fasted. (Mt 4:2)

Number Three passive question, when do we Fast? 

            The Seasons and days of penance in the course of the Liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice.³⁸ these times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works). – Catechism of the Catholic Church.

            I hope sharing to you my research cleared at least 3 passive questions.

            Finally, let me end with my own story of about fasting. Every morning before I go to work my mother prepares my baon for me. (hehehe, spoiled noh! she’s my mother, nutritionist and dietician rolled into one.  Thanks ma!) When I wake up the baon is prepared, I just have to pick it up. One day, after a long morning at work, at last lunchtime came! I was really starving that time that I almost forgot to pray, so after praying, I slowly opened my lunchbox to feast on whatever it is my mom prepared for me. I was shocked at the amount of food on my lunch box… a few pieces of small cut meat and three fourths cup of rice (I think) are inside my 7 inch by 6.5 inch by 1.5 inch plastic container. In my mind… waaaahhh bitin tohhhh! I thought for a while, then suddenly remembered that I have talked to her about fasting the night before. So, that explains lunch. Even though I was hungry even if its not Friday, but at least I got to fast… I had an opportunity to repent and have penance for my sins. I had the chance to offer my fasting as a present to the Lord. From fast to present!

P. S.

That night I told my mother what happened, the next morning she prepared lunch for me again.

This time my baon was good for two people…  

           

It was definitely harder to munch through.

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MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY

MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY

            “Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart.”  -- Matt.  11:29

HUMILITY

             Humility is called by the saints the foundation and safeguard of all the virtues.  According to St. Thomas, this virtue occupies the first place as the foundation of the rest. 

             This great virtue, however, needs a lot of constant practice.    Most often than not, when we tend to do something good we tend to think highly of ourselves. Moreover, the ways of the world are very much opposed to what humility is asking that is why our tendency is to result to pride.  Nonetheless, God’s grace and efforts to imitate Christ make it easier for us to achieve this virtue.

            Humility is truth.  It is the acceptance of who we are and acknowledging the gifts God has bestowed on us without boasting.  Not knowing who we really are will tend to defy the truth.  Unfortunately, sometimes culture has a way of influencing our confidence to accept the truth about ourselves.  We tend to deny simple good things other people recognized in us even if we know that they are right.  Or, there are times that we tend to accuse ourselves of unworthy and deserving of punishment; yet deny when they reprove.  Let us remember what St. Bernard said, “To humble oneself for the sake of being praised is not humility at all.”

            Humility of the will on the other hand means to bear insults patiently.  Humiliation leads to humility.  As Christians, we will be encountering a lot of side comments with regards to our activities, devotions, and services to Christ.  And when those times come, we have to suffer them patiently if we want to achieve sanctity.

Meekness

            Meekness is not being “uto-uto” or gullible.  It is bearing with all manner the offenses and embarrassment without getting angry.  Many of our saints loved this virtue as they seem to advance more in holiness when people spoke ill of them.  Hence, we can say that meekness is not possible without deep humility, a humble opinion of ourselves, and the desire to be treated with contempt.

            St. Francis de Sales, a master and model of holy meekness, says:  “humble meekness is the virtue of virtues.”

            If we want others to obey us, St. Vincent de Paul says that we have no better means of winning the affection and obedience of their subjects than by meekness.  In correcting others, this virtue is also very important.  It helps us avoid to have an angry tone in correcting others as this does more harm than good.  But if it is inevitable to speak in a stern manner to impress the culprit with the gravity of his fault, at least a kind word must be said in the end so as not to leave the person hurt.  Meekness accomplishes far more than anger and bitterness.

            We also must exercise meekness towards self.  To be angry towards self because of a fault committed is still a sign of pride.  Again, we have to admit that we are weak persons easily tempted.  Just as we have to forgive others, so must we also forgive ourselves.

Reference:  12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation by St. Alphonsus Liguori; talk of Fr.Angelo

A Valentine To Remember - brev cHacHi

St. Therese of the Child Jesus

                It was the eve of Valentine’s day of 2000.  I remember rushing to prepare for an overnight vigil at the Carmelite Monastery, Dontogan, Baguio City to venerate the Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.  That was a night to remember...

                Many devotees flocked in the convent while the Brevs and I were outside enjoying the serenity of the place under the stars.  As we waited for our chance to get inside the chapel, we busied ourselves writing notes (a brev culture) to be given to our founder-formator, Bro. Alex Manongdo.  All the while, he thought we were writing down our petitions.  He didn’t have an inkling that he was into a loving surprise.

St. Therese and Bro. A!

                Midnight came, it was Valentine’s Day!  We gave our messages in a bottle to Bro. A! and he read them one by one overwhelmed with the love he received from his flock.  We watched him with joy and excitement as we heard every message.  Each letter inspired not only him but us as well.  We continued the night sharing stories about St. Therese and how much she loved Jesus in her simplest ways.  As we reflected on that great love between the Master and His Little Flower, we were filled with so much zeal to love the way she did.  Her examples made us want to have the love of Jesus fill our hearts that we might love like Him.  Thus, she became the Brevs’ patroness.  

                When we had the chance to enter the chapel, we could not describe the joy that filled us.  The grace to be an arm distance to St. Therese of the Child Jesus was simply incredible while others didn’t get that chance we had.  We sang until morning came.  We served during the morning mass as well.  We tried our best not to doze off.  

                After the mass, we were able to meet the Carmelites and they gave us white roses.  Personally, words are not enough to describe the joy I felt that time.  It was as if we were being embraced by the heavens.  The Brevs as usual helped fix the area before we parted ways.  It was a start of a new day...

                Though it was hard for us to separate, we had to go back home and fix ourselves to prepare for school.  Yeap!  I was still a student at that time.  Though sleepy the whole day, we were just too hyper to share our experiences during the vigil to every person we met.  We found ourselves so in love.  We decided to take the vocation St. Therese had – The Vocation to Love.  Up to this moment, I could say that was the BEST BREV VALENTINE I ever had.

                To my fellow Brevs, may you remember that night when Jesus filled our hearts with so much joy and affirmed us with His unconditional love.  We may be looking for a magic to happen or an elation to feel the day of hearts, but may we never forget that Valentine’s day is the day of God for He is Love.  So rejoice!  Embrace the day with an offering to love Him with all our hearts so He may teach us True Love...and believe that in return, true happiness will come into our lives.  May our dear St. Therese inspire us more to be firm in our Vocation – Love!

                Keep loving!