I wrote this article during our Guam Priests’ Retreat at Angels’ Hills retreat house in Tagaytay City, Philippines on October 22-26, 2018. I’m sharing with you some beautiful thoughts from the talks of Fr. Luciano Filone, our retreat master. He is actually from Argentina but has lived in the Philippines for long time and he’s now a pastor in the Diocese of Novaliches, Quezon City. Philippines. “ Fan the flame” is one of the beautiful and inspiring thoughts he gave us which means to bring back that vigor and enthusiasm you had before, is it in your work, in the church ministry, in your service in the community, in your love, in your commitment, in your family and in many other things that you were into before. It’s never too late to renew and refresh your passion to serve the Lord in whatever way or capacity you can. Do not be afraid or ashamed to testify for the Lord, to speak about his goodness and mercy. Another beautiful insight that Fr. Luciano Filone shared is about “Remembering”. Today, let us remember people who have been part of our life, who have inspired us to become who we are today, who encouraged us to keep going in the toughest and hardest times of our life, who have stood by us and trusted us despite our failures and mistakes. We must remember that it’s not the books of theology that brought us the light in our darkness and in times of confusion but our deep connection with God and trust in his mercy and grace. The Lord protects us from embarrassment or shame as he did to the deaf and dumb man in the Gospel of Mark 7: 31-35, when he took him away from the crowd and restored his power hearing and speaking. The Lord is compassionate and merciful.
It is important that we sometimes set ourselves away from the noisy crowd and be with Lord in silence and in prayer. It is when we are in solitude with Him that we are able to tell him our frustrations and disappointments. The problem with us is that we seldom share our faults and pains but we’re up to tell everyone about our accomplishments and brag about ourselves. Don’t you realize that when we share our pains we can relate to many and that sharing our pain can heal others’ wounds? But when we brag, we become disunited. When we discipline our pride and restrain our ambition we experience peace and our worries dissipate. It is human nature to pursue recognition or to desire for power and authority, but if the craving turns to a lifetime passion and obsession, then something is wrong. Our worth is not so much about our positions and titles but who we are as persons. The Lord can make a master piece out of the little things and pieces we do with love and heart. What are you full of? Are you full of anger, full of pride, full of greed, full of ambition, full of wealth, full of pretension or full of talking behind someone’s back? Better focus more on kindness, meekness and charity than on arrogance, anger and hatred, then you can have serenity, peace and good sleep.
On the flip side, someone said that you see people’s true color when you are no longer beneficial in their life. Strive to turn a trial into a triumph, a test into a testimony and a mess into a message. Trust that when God takes something away from you, he’ll replace it with something better. As the best view comes out after the hardest climb, so is the result most enjoyable after the hardest work. Likewise, a brighter rainbow comes after a strong storm. In your discussion, you don’t have to raise your voice, just improve your argument. Amen on that folks!!
St. Faustina wrote Jesus’ words to her; “I claim veneration for My mercy from every creature, but above all from you, since it is you that I have given the most profound understanding of this mystery. ( Diary 1572).Pray the Divine Mercy every 3 p.m. Daily pray the Chaplet of Mercy and the Holy Rosary every day for peace in our families and in throughout the world. Jesus King of Mercy, I trust in you!