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A Catholic Prayer Meeting of the LIGHT OF JESUS FAMILY June 17, 2012
WHEN you read the Bible, it seems that God has changed. In the Old Testament, He seemed to be the God of Wrath. He seemed Cruel. Vindictive. Judgmental. Racist. For example, in the book of Joshua, God ordered the mass slaughter of tribesmen, women, and children--that were living in Canaan. These Canaanite tribes were living there for thousands of yearsbut according to Israel, God wanted them to be massacred so that they, Gods chosen people, could live in their promised land. In the New Testament, all of a sudden, He transformed to the God of Love. Instead of a Warrior God, He becomes the helpless baby in a manger. Instead of a Death Judge, He becomes the Good Shepherd willing to die for His sheep. So has God really changed? No, He doesnt change. Instead, its our understanding of God that has changed.
We change. We mature. We develop. We transform. When you read the Bible, remember that the human writers understanding of God is always limited by the weaknesses of their culture, psychology, language, and history. Thats why you cant get one verse from the Bible and say thats the entire truth. Thats crazy. When you read the Bible, youre entering into a 3000-year long Journey. So take the Journey! Dont be fixated with this or that solitary verse. Where does this Journey take us? That God is Love indeed. These three wordsGod is Love summarize this long Journey of the Bible. Today, youll experience the power of these three simple wordsand how they will never change. Have a power-packed Feast today! May your dreams come true,
Today, I receive all of Gods love for me. Today, I open myself to the unbounded, limitless, overflowing abundance of Gods universe. Today, I open myself to Gods blessings, healing, and miracles. Today, I open myself to Gods Word So I would become More like Jesus every day. Today, I proclaim that I am Gods beloved, I am Gods servant, I am Gods powerful champion. And because I am blessed, I am blessing the world. In Jesus name. Amen. RECEIVE INSPIRING MESSAGES FROM BRO. BO! BRO. Bo Sanchez is sending inspiring messages and announcements to Feast attendees via text or short messaging services (SMS) from his mobile phone and through email. Want to receive messages? Just text your mobile phone number and email address to these numbers... FOR GLOBE SUBSCRIBERS: 09178494444 FOR SMART SUBSCRIBERS: 09088949999 FOR SUN SUBSCRIBERS: 09228945555
BO SANCHEZ
LAST WEEK
LAST Sunday, we commemorated the solemnity of Corpus Christi which means the Body and Blood of Christ. For us to fully understand the Body of Christ, Fr. Glen Gomez made us appreciate the human body first. The human body is a tangible human blessing. It has high market value and the trillion cells in our body make us truly rich! Our body alone is a physical representation of how amazing our God is-- our pumping heart, our blood vessels which measure 60,000 miles long and the non-matter aspects of our body such as emotions, mentality, and spirituality. The Body of Christ is the proof of how an invisible God became visible. Fr. Glen emphasized that it is during the Eucharist when Jesus gives His Body to us and that when we are filled with Gods Spirit. But Christ also has a spiritual body, which is the body of believers-us. The Body of Christ brings total healing in our mind, body, and spirit. Fr. Glen added that the Body saves. Corpus Christi brings us to everlasting life. Thus, the Eucharist is a way to be grateful and give thanks because we receive Jesus, specifically in the Holy Communion. The Eucharist makes us inspired and enthusiastic as we are one with the Spirit. We become Emmanuel--God is with us.
WE all know God can do anything. But surprisingly, Bro. Bo Sanchez is revealing three things God cannot do for us in our series Impossible. The series teaches us how to trust God in a deeper way so we can have less stress or worries, avoid sickness, and have peace! First of all the things God cannot do: God cannot lie. Numbers 23:19 says, God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act?Does he promise and not fulfill? We dont like being with liars. It would be chaotic if many people always lied. But thankfully, our God cannot lie and we can always depend on His word. Bro. Bo said our miracles are on their way via DHLDelivery by Heavens Love. No matter what, it is always Gods promises which we can count on. Bro. Bo presented the prophet Elisha, a disciple of Elijah, as an example. When Elijah was about to go to heaven, he asked Elisha what he wished Elijah would give him. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijahs anointing. And God granted it! And so it happened. While Elijah had
day that we make the dream come true. 3. Be free from your details. Details make our dreams more vivid so they fuel our dream more. But trust that God will give us the best. He presented the experience of Bro. Rolly Espana, Feast PICC Council head, and his wife Donna. The couple never had a child. But serving in the Feast, they found dozens of childrenthe men and women who serve with them in the various Feast ministries. In God, we are always complete, Bro. Rolly said. Bro. Bo shared that the Light of Jesus once wanted to buy a 500-square meter property for ministry work. Alas, the property was bought by someone else. But after ten long years, LOJ was able to acquire not 500 but a 50,000 square-meter property where the Anawim Home for Abandoned Elderly, one of the Feast partner beneficiaries, is now located. Bro. Bo pointed out that human beings think small and think fast. God, on the other hand, thinks big and slow. We may be in a hurry. But God is saying enjoy the process and trust in His perfect timing and His promises to you. --Kristine Mutuc Photos by Cris Legaspi she said, because I support my family. Shortly after, she began to receive blessings more than she expected. Last January, she was able to join a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Then, she received her desired 6-digit salary. Its liberating when we give to God because we love Him. But when you give, be ready for the avalanche of blessings! Gigi happily said.
S H A R I N G
TODAY
MINISTRIES
in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into Gods love and keep you strong. Bro. Tom said Christian men ought to be strengthened not only physically but more so, spiritually to grasp Gods love for them and serve Him well. He said they ought to develop their spiritual muscle through the four pillars of successful Christian living: Prayer, Scripture, Community, and Service. The Single Mens Ministry, he added, will serve as the platform for them to attain strength of spirit. Bro. Migs in his talk said that Jesus is the best single man and the best example to follow. He explained the 3Ms of the ministry: Mentoring, Mission Field, and Meeting Place. Under Mentoring, this brotherhood will provide a venue for talks on topics that respond to the mens needs such as core gift enhancement and financial literacy to name a few. In Mission Field, the men would know about the Feast Mercy missions and eventually visit Mercy homes such as orphanages and homes for street children as part of their mission to reach out to Gods poor. Under Meeting, the men will come together regularly to discuss common concerns such as getting to know ones self, getiing to know more about women, relationships with family and friends, career, and savoring life. Getting to Know the Men! After the short talk, facilitators divided the assembly into five groups for the men to get to know each other. Questions they answered in the group discussion: Who are you? What are your dreams? The session bared that no matter their differences in age, profession or stature in life, these men share the same dreams of improving themselves, discerning their calling and status in life. Sharer James Bardos, a member of Gods Gentlemen, echoed the dreams of the attendees: Id like to have my own family and continue serving God as well. Migs announced that the meet up will now be a regular thing. Every third Sunday of the month, the men will listen to various talks on living the single life, the Christian wayfrom fighting inner battles, to finding ones true love, to various adventures for single men. Happy with the turn-out, Migs and JC hope to engage more and more brothers to this fellowship in the succeeding meetings. The men meet today with Bro. Bo Sanchez as guest speaker. Next in their activity schedule: a bowling session with the Single Womens group at Starmall in Mandaluyong. Hmmm Where the men are? For details call Bro. Migs 0917-5006447, Bro. JC Libiran 0917-5057900.
THE FEAST June 17, 2012
Here they are, 1st row: Bro. Rolly Espana, and Council members Donna Espana, Beckie Sanchez and Vita Monforte grace the assembly; Bro. Tom Yokingco explains Single Mens vision; 2nd row: JC Libiran (left) and Migs Ramirez outline Ministry mission; JC and Migs lead Worship with Aezer Cajegas and John Ben Rodriguez; 3rd row: Albert Zabala (extreme left) facilitates ice breaker; Don Frondoso and Aezer Cajegas share their happy experience as Feast servants; At right, Gods Gentlemen in waiters getup, from left: Roel Castro, Melvyn Yee, and Bernie Castro ready to serve a new member.
IF youre asking where the men are, one answer is look at the door. That is, the door leading to the Plenary Hall where the Feast happens every Sunday. Were talking about the handsome male ushers with the warmest smiles who help you find good seats. Meet Lark Guillermo Tejano, 20 years old, and Emmanuel Encarnacion, 53. Lark is a Behavioral Science student at the University of Sto. Tomas graduating in 2013. Hes been serving as Feast usher with Emmanuel, or Emer, as everyone calls him, for some time now, but it was only during the interview with The Feast that he found out Emer also graduated from UST. Emer himself had just been so busy with his ushering duties he hardly had time to chit chat with Lark. So he didnt know either that Lark is a Thomasian. Emmanuel is an Economics graduate, Batch 1978, from the same school. Within the gaps of time and age that these two brothers and servants havethey have one similarity, aside from being Thomasians: they are deeply in love with God. Lark said, There is heaven and I found Him here in my heart. Emer added, Ill never stop loving God. Lark joined the Feast in 2006 when it was still being held in Camp Aguinaldo. He attended regularly with his family. But sometime on the fourth year that hed been attending, he missed a number of Feasts, until he stopped attending altogether. During those years of absence, I felt empty deep in my heart, Lark said. I felt my life had no more purpose. So he went back to the Feast last year, which by that time was already being held at PICC. He heard the call for servants and promptly he joined the Warmth Cluster, choosing particularly to serve in its Ushers Ministry. He said, The warmth and openness of servants in the Ministry inspired me to serve more. He is happy meeting new friends in the Ministry who have accepted him and thus have helped him in his spiritual growth. I am still a work in progress, he said, but I learn from my friends how to greet Feasters and make them feel welcomed as I felt accepted here. He added, Now, I wake up every morning with a purpose. I know that what I do at the Feast is part of something big. My service will make a big difference because I know that itll transform me into doing big things for God. Something big like building a Feast. I want to contribute in building the UST Campus Feast, he breaks into that smile that ushers in hundreds of Feasters every Sunday. Before, Lark admitted he got easily irritated and was unforgiving. Oftentimes, he argued with his parents. But now, hes learning to control his emotions or he finds ways on how to deal with his impatience, like walking, or playing computer games.
Men Power, from top: Lark Tejano (left) and Emer Encarnacion check out the seats they offer to attendees; Emer at the door of the Plenary Hall distributing copies of The Feast.
Once, Emer thought life had no meaning that it was better to die. But sometime in 2005, he found a little book lying in a corner of his house. He didnt know who brought in the book, but he opened it, and found out its the daily Bible guide titled Our Daily Bread. Reading its contents, he realized he needed to know more about God, and thus he desired to join a prayer community. Then in 2011, a friend whos a member of the Light of Jesus Family invited him to the Feast. He attended on May 2, 2011. Inpired by the talks of Bro. Bo Sanchez, he answered the call to join a
Caring Group. Then, he attended the Jesus Encounter seminar, where he experienced a spiritual renewal so intense that after the seminar, he signed up to serve in the Warmth Cluster. I keep on serving the Lord because I believe that everything in my life will fall into its proper place in Gods perfect time. He added, Now I feel life is exciting, so abundant with blessings. I always look forward to Sunday. I do not accept invitations for activities scheduled on a Sunday because my Sunday is reserved for the Feast and for the Lord. Serving the Lord is a reward in itself.
BO AT CHARISMATIC CONFERENCE
SHARING
I Changed My Religion
By REGIELE ANNE CRUZ
Illustration by DON FRONDOSO God promised, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. --Isaiah 43:2 Looking back at all the numerous heart-breaking difficulties I had to face. I realized that I got through all of them because the mighty hands of our Father have always been holding me. For the times I could not walk, He carried me. He has never given up on me. It seems that He owns the key to my heart even when I thought I had thrown it away. Now, I am back to serving Him as I live my life while enjoying His promises and gift of grace. We just have to trust Him when He says He loves us because He will always be true to His promises even in our most trying times.
SERVING God since I was a child and joining a religious group in my teenage years implanted a very close relationship with God in my heart. I always prayed wherever I was and whatever I did. My trust in Him was deep and steadfast. But there came a time when serious struggles hit me, so hard, my faith was shaken. I joined a different religion trying to seek what I could not get from my Catholic faith and even reached a point when I did not believe in God anymore. I started questioning religions, faith, and His very existence. I remember the time when I asked God to hold me in His arms and to never let me go that even if I walk astray I would still end up running back to Him. I thought I had to ask that since there were many times I felt close to Him and many times I felt so detached. My spiritual mother once told me, You do not even need to ask that because God is already holding your hand. Even if you let go of Him, He will never let you go; thats how He loves us.
BE RENEWED. A priest will hear your confession at the second floor lobby, Reception Hall side.
LOST and FOUND If you lost or found an item, please approach any of the ushers who will guide you to our Lost and Found section.
BO SANCHEZ Founder CYNTHIA U. SANTIAGO Editor-in-Chief BELLA ESTRELLA (PICC1) APPLE CRUDA (PICC3) Managing Editors KIM PAMPLONA CHICHI BARBA DANIEL L. SANTOS Associate Editors
EDMUNDO SANTIAGO MARK DOMINGO DAVE APALLA APPLE CHICO ARLENE BATISLAONG CRIS LEGASPI SHEM OCHOCO Photographers NAYSAN ALBAYTAR KRISTINE MUTUC JOY NACURAY MARTHINA SALOME FERDY R. VALDIVIA JAY STA. ANA Writers
JOEL ESTRELLA REYMUND UNTAL Artists GERALD GONZALES CEZ GONZALES LOUIE RAMOS IRISH RAMOS PAOLINA SALOME DIANA LORRAINE HIDALGO MACKY S. CASAMORIN JANELLA IBAY CHANTAL CRISOSTOMO Reporters FEAST MEDIA MINISTRY MARK DOMINGO AMOR MELITANTE Co-Assistant Heads JANE IBAY Finance RHODA OSALVO JOHN PANGAN Public Relations
The FEAST, published by the Light of Jesus Family, is distributed during The Feast by the Manila Bay, a weekly prayer gathering of the Light of Jesus held at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila, every Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.,10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 3:45 PM p.m. to 5:45 p.m. The FEAST holds office at The Lighthouse, 60 Chicago St., Quezon City, with telephone numbers 725-9999, and email address feastpiccmedia@gmail.com.