....Ask anything of me in my name,

John 14:13-14 ) ... (13) And whatever you ask in my name, I will do so, so that the Father may be glorified in the son. (14) If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. God is One. And there are 3 Divine Persons. In multiplication: 1x1x1 = 1. This is the mystery of the holy and blessed Trinity. In the beginning, in the history of creation, the Three  Divine Persons were present. Remember, to God nothing is impossible. As this mystery of the Three Divine Persons unfolded, we have a  clear picture but still, our non-Christian brothers don't have the audacity to grasp the truth.

No one has seen God the Father. Humanity has seen the Son who is Jesus, the Christ but some dare not believe because He was born in a manger, therefore He could not be classified as a King to lead the people out of bondage. And who is this son of a carpenter of Nazareth named  Joseph and a virgin mother, Mary? Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit). One day Jesus was nowhere to be found. They kept looking for him everywhere but on the third day they came upon him on the temple amongst teachers listening to them and asking them questions. Like doting parents, they asked him of his whereabouts of which he politely answered that he was in his Father's house.

 (Matt. 3: 16-17 ) And when Jesus was baptized, he at once came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And suddenly there was a Voice from heaven, saying "this is My beloved Son," with whom I am well pleased.

(John 2: 1-7) On the third day, there was a  wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited...And they ran out of wine since the wine provided for the feast had all been used, and the mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine. Jesus said, 'Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet. 'His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'... Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water, and they filled them up to the brim.'

The Holy Eucharist

The Core of  Catholicism

"The Holy Eucharist is totally dependent on the priesthood. No priesthood, no Eucharistic sacrifice, no Holy Communion, no Eucharistic Adoration. " That is why there is a need for a Rosary for priests.

At the Women Center in Chicago, I accepted an assignment every Friday from 3 P.M.  to 4 P.M. for Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration ( this is actually in lieu of Evangeline, my wife for personal reason). Also on Friday at the Transfiguration Church from 7 P.M. to 8 P.M. - the novena of Jesus, the Nazarene patterned to that of Quiapo devotion in Manila, Philippines. I felt that it is my obligation to have at least an hour with the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist besides the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Sundays and Holidays of obligation.

After the Fall, we became mortal but we still cling to that idea of immortality. Finally, we found the answer when during the kingship of David, a Child was born giving birth to Christianity and usher the dawn of immortality. That Child King who was born in a manger, paid homage by three Magi guided by the ever glowing light of a star, hanged on a cross, bled, and cried, "my God, my God, why has Thou forsaken me?" Jesus died, but " the source of life flowed out for souls and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world."

Jesus died yet He is alive in the Holy Eucharist in the form of bread at the church or chapel. In some Roman Catholic chapels and churches, they have Perpetual Adoration which is a 24-hour watch on the Holy Eucharist.

Every 3 o'clock whether it is in the afternoon or in the early morning, it is a good practice to pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy beginning with this 3 o'clock prayer:

"You died Jesus, but the source of life flowed out for souls and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O fountain of Life, immeasurable Divine Mercy, cover the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us."
"O Blood and Water which flowed out from the heart of Jesus as a Fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You.!"
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and the whole world." ( 3X)

The chaplet of the Divine Mercy.

Using the ordinary Rosary beads begin with - Our Father... Hail Mary...The Creed (I believe in..).
On the large bead before each decade - Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On the 10 small beads of each decade: - For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Conclude with: - Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (3 times)
Jesus King of mercy, we trust in you!

 * (Imprimatur: Msgr. Josefino S. Ramirez, Vicar General & Chancellor, Archdiocese of Manila)

SA KABUKIRAN (IN THE COUNTRYSIDE)- IV

*** SA KABUKIRAN  (In the Countryside)
Lyrics from a copy of Jun-Jun A. Ramirez
English Translation by Greg In. Trabanca

G

SA KABUKIRAN, LAYO ANG KASAKIT, ANG KALANGGAMAN AY NANAG-AWIT.
 ( In the countryside, sorrow is remote; the birds are lilting with melodious notes)

SA KABUKIRAN, LAYO ANG KASAKIT, ANG KALANGGAMAN AY NANAG-AWIT.
(In the countryside, sorrow is remote; the birds are lilting with melodious notes.)

MAOY GAINGING MGA PAGHADLA, MGA PARAYEG AHAY !!! MGA HUDYAKA.
(This is the moment of the carousel, of tenderness, of festive happiness )

ANG HINUYOHOY NAGLANOYLANOY SA KADAHUNAN UG KABULAKAN
( The  breeze wafting freely through the foliage, among the flowers.)

SA KADAHUNAN UG KABULAKAN.
 ( through the foliages, among the flowers)

O KINABUHI LON-LON KALIPAY, GAWAS HAMILI, WAY IKAGMAHAY.
( O Life fraught with happiness, besides simplicity, there's nothing to regret) 

SA....KA...BU...KIRAN LAYO ANG KASAKIT, ANG KALANGGAMAN //// AY NANAG-AWIT. (In the countryside, sorrow is remote; the birds are lilting with melodious notes.)              

POBRENG ALINDAHAW (MISERABLE DRAGONFLY) - III

***POBRENG ALINDAHAW  ( Miserable Dragonfly )
Lyrics from the notes of Jun Jun A. Ramirez
English Translation by  Greg In. Trabanca

C

AKOY POBRENG ALINDAHAW, SA HUYOHOY GIANUD-ANUD
( I am a miserable dragonfly, gliding on a friendly breeze)

NANGITA UG KAPANIBAAN, AHAY!!! SA... TA...NAMAN, SA MGA KABULAKAN
(Searching for nectar to suck ...      sigh (ahay)...       among the plants,     among the flowers.)

ARUY, ARUY, ARUY, ARUY, ARUY... ...ARUY, ARUY, ARUY, ARUY, ARUY.   (a hurting sound)
aruy     aruy   aruy     aruy   aruy                  aruy    aruy      aruy    aruy    aruy

ANIA SI BULAK SA MGA KAHIDLAW.
(Here's the flower of quenching the thirsty cravings)                                                                      

ARUY, ARUY, ARUY, ARUY, ARUY...         ARUY, ARUY, ARUY, ARUY, ARUY...( a hurting sound)
aruy     aruy     aruy     aruy     aruy                    aruy     aruy     aruy     aruy     aruy

DI KA BA MALOOY, NING POBRENG ALINDAHAW.
(Don't you have compassion, on this miserable dragonfly.)

SAKAYANON (THE SAILOR) - II

***SAKAYANON  (The Sailor)
Lyrics by: Jun Jun A. Ramirez
English Translation by: Greg In. Trabanca

G

MIDAG-OM MIDAG-OM NA DAPIT SA ATONG HABAGATAN
(Nimbus clouds loom in the northern horizon)

PAGBANTAY, BANTAY MGA KAUBAN, ANG TIMBANGAN DILI PAGABIYAAN
Be watchful mates, don't leave the rudder)

AYAW BAYA KALIMOT NGA GIKALISANGAN KINING HANGINA
(Don't ever forget that this is a horrible wind that  sailors dread most)

MOGISI SA LAYAG MOGUBA SA ATONG SAKAYAN.
( It will split the sails, it will destroy our boat.)

TIMBANG KAMO, HINUBIG KAMO, DAGAN NGARI, DAGAN DIDTO,
 (Balance yourselves, ready with the water buckets, swiftly move here and then through there)

MAOY LABING PAIT ANG SA KINABUHING SAKAYANON,
(It is a very precarious life, this being a sailor)

INIT UG ULAN GIANTOS NAMO WAY PULOPASILONG
(Scorching heat or pelting rain, we weathered without shelter.)

ANIA PAY KATUGNAW UG KAKAPOY PA GAYUD INTAWON
(Here's the bone-penetrating coldness and the dire exhausting tiredness)

GIANTOS ANG TANAN KAY GINBUT-AN SA KAPALARAN
(All these, we relentlessly suffer for its mandated by fate.)    G-G7
 

Word of God

Ancient Greeks considered "Word" as power and wisdom. In the light of such insight, humankind ought to embrace the word of God, pondering it with humility and adoration. Blessed is the one who listens to the word of God  and allows it to bear fruit. The Prophet Isaiah provides a profound analogy for the word of God. He says, it is like a double-edged sword, which penetrates the  finest marrow of a bone. Thus says the Lord: "Yes as the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that comes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out My will and succeeding in what it was sent to do."

The declaration of Isaiah about the word of God alludes to the Bible's creation account. In the beginning, there was nothing. God said:, "Let there be light," and there was light...God spoke, and the whole creation came about by the power and wisdom of His word. Hence, the whole of creation speaks loudly and clearly of the power and wisdom of God. St Paul, writing to the Romans, verifies the fact, "Ever since the creation of the World His eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things He has made." (Rom 1:20) At the proper time, God spoke His word to prophets, who then instructed the people to live a righteous life. The prophet Jeremiah professes, "Your words were found and I ate them, and Your name, O Lord God of hosts" (Jer.15:16)

While confronting the devil in the desert, Jesus reminds us once again of the power and wisdom of the word of God. "Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Fallen humanity continues to pursue with all of its might the bread that will perish, while ignoring the true food that will last for all eternity the word of God. Jesus could easily decipher the disposition of the people of this world, as He compares them in the "Parable of the sower and the seeds" to the edge of the path, patches and thorns." The concerns and worries of this world do not allow the word of God to bear the desired fruit in the people. Yes, there are many in the world who give first place to the word of God, and they bear fruit in the hundred fold, in this life and the next.

St. John, in his gospel summarizes the mystery of the word of God, "In the beginning was the word, the word was with God, and the word was God." It is through the power of this word that all of creation came about. This same word instructed the prophets, and finally it became flesh and dwelth among men. Jesus is the living word of God - the power and wisdom. This wisdom has baffled human minds. Instead of humbly seeking divine guidance to understand the word of God, humankind continues to defy the will of God spelled out in the Holy Scripture. Laws are passed prohibiting the use of the word of God, and the uttering of the name of Jesus. But the disciples of Jesus should take courage and say, "Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."-
(Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx)

Who do you say I am?

      Jesus posed a pressing and a challenging question to his disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Interestingly, Jesus asked this question to his disciples in Caesarea Philippi and not in any other towns. Caesarea Philippi was a Hellenistic town, and in the 3rd century BC, King Ptolemy made it a cult center. Since the town was located near one of the largest springs feeding the Jordan river, the whole area was very fertile  and attractive, inviting lots of foreigners for business and worship. In the midst of diverse social, cultural, economic and religious paraphernalia, Jesus confronted his disciples with this question, "Who do you say I am?" Did the disciples have the  courage and conviction to answer the question?
      "Caesarea Philippi" subsists in every village, town and city around the world. Since it was first posed by Jesus, the question, "Who do you say I am?" has become more compelling than ever before. When it was first asked, apostle Peter on behalf of his companions answered Jesus, saying. "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God", yet, every generation has to answer this question with the new vigor and faith. Indeed, the answer cannot be a verbal recitation from scripture, but should  spring forth from within the very depth of our soul. Jesus replied to Peter saying, "Simon, son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven."
      With skepticism and moral relativism  ruling modern society, humanity is confused about many things. Today's secular society, like Caesarea Philippi, is buzzing  with idol worship. People are afraid to utter the name of Jesus with reverence in public but have no problem profaning it. The puzzled society prefers to greet each other with the political correct "Happy Holidays" rather than saying " Merry Christmas" and demonstrating the season's truth and nobility. Truth is one, and it is eternal. Why fear temporal society, which is here today and gone tomorrow? Jesus asked this question precisely in Caesarea Philippi to show humanity  his unique nature, which is "Christ - the Son of the living God" and which is not to be equated with the manmade idols worshipped in that city.
      What is your response to Jesus' question? Does Jesus hold a unique place in your life or is He is just another idol? It is imperative for all to answer this question with courage and conviction, and have  the audacity to proclaim like Peter, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."       The disposition with which one answers the question also matters, for it determines how one will live as a Christian  and adds meaning to the Christian life. In fact, Jesus will say to each one of us, "You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold against it." Be not be afraid to lose your body, if the temporal society unjustly demands it for the sake of Jesus' name, but hold firm to your faith - the keys to the Kingdom of heaven are yours.
By Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx.

SA DAPLIN SA BAYBAYON (BY THE SEASIDE) - I

• SA DAPLIN SA BAYBAYON  ( BY THE SEASIDE )
• Lyrics from Jun Jun Ramirez
• English Translation by  Greg In Trabanca

Em

SA DAPLIN SA BAYBAYON, IKAW AKONG DAPITON
 (By the seaside, I'll invite you)

UG KINING AKONG AWIT, IMONG PAGALAYLAYON
(And this my song, you're going to croon),

ANG HUYOHOY SA HANGIN, KANIMO RAY MOHADLA
(The wafting of the wind will solely caress  you )  

IKAW AKONG LIPAYON PAHIRAN SA LUHA
.( I'll engulf you with happiness; wipe with the tears)

KON DUNA KAY KASAKIT, DALIKYAT NGADTO SA BAYBAYON
( If you're down with sorrow, feel free to come by the seaside)    

KAY DIDTO LONLON MGA HUDYAKA
( Because over there; is an abundance of happiness.)      

HADLAON SA HIMAYANG DAYON, IMONG KALAG NGA MAULOB-ON
 ( Overwhelmed with instant bliss, your tearful soul)

SA DAPLIN SA BAYBAYON AHAY NGA MABUGNAW
( By the seaside, sigh... it is moderately cold)

MGA BALUD SA DAGAT NGA NAGLUMBAAN SA HUNASAN
( The waves from the sea are racing swiftly to the shore)

NAKIGAMBAHAN SA IMONG  KATAWA  

(Rhythmically rolling with your laughter) 

HADLAON SA HIMAYANG DAYON, IMONG KALAG NGA MASULOB-ON
( Amusingly with instant bliss, your tearful soul)

SA DAPLIN SA BAYBAYON AHAY NGA MABUGNAW
( By the seaside, sigh... it is moderately cold) .
(REPEAT)