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A Catholic Prayer Meeting of the LIGHT OF JESUS FAMILY June 24, 2012
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
MANY years ago, a friend asked me to partner with her in a business. She asked me if I could be her financierand shell do all the work. At the time, I didnt know anything about business. Zero. So her proposition was music to my ears. Imagine, I didnt have to do anythingand Id start earning. Every so often, she asked me for money. And I gave whatever I had. But sadly, the business we started wasnt earning any money. One morning, I knew I had to stop the bleeding. I gave up the business. And I walked out with a HUGE LOSS. It was my entire lifesavings, gone up in smoke. I felt such a big failure! A voice inside my head said, Thats what you get for trying to be an Entrepreneur. Give it up! Youre supposed to be a Preacher only. Nothing else. Thankfully, I didnt listen to that voice. Ill do it differently, I answered back. One day, Ill be a successful Entrepreneur. I licked my wounds, picked myself up, and didnt stop learning. I failed again, stood up again, and kept learning. I had eight failures one after another. But I never gave up. Today, after seven years, things have changed. I now run 12 successful businesses. And remember that HUGE LOSS? My entire lifesavings gone up in smoke? I now earn that exact same amount every single month. Yes, I failed. Many times. But I was never a failure. Why? Because God cannot fail in His plan to bless my life. Today, hear this truth: You can fail temporarily but you cannot fail permanently. Because God cannot fail. Have a fantastic Feast today! May your dreams come true,
BO SANCHEZ
LAST WEEK
CONTINUING our series Impossible, Bro. Bo Sanchez talked about the second thing God cannot do: change. Malachi 3:6 says, I the Lord does not change. And one thing about God that will never change: God is love. Bro. Bo stressed to us that everything will change. Fame Changes. What or who is famous now will not be coming Like a Mustard Seed famous anymore in theand other years. Movies, actors, ON the 11th Sunday in ordinary personalities who are well known time, Jesus, in the Gospel now will not forever be known according to Mark 4:26-34, likens by many. the Kingdom of God to a mustard Cool Changes. What was seed which, when sown, is the cool yesterday is no longer cool smallest of all the seeds scattered today, and will no longer be cool upon the soil. But once sown, it tomorrow. Trends come and go. grows up and becomes the largest Body Changes. Whether of the plants in the garden. we like it or not, well grow Fr. Joel Jason expounded on three words about the Kingdom: 1. Wait. After he had sown the seed of a plant, the farmer waits until the seed sprouts and grows into a tree. Waiting is important so that our relationship with one another and with God will flourish. 2. Mystery. Once the seed is sown, the farmer isnt sure whether the seed will grow or die. In the same manner, we really dont know what God has in store for us. Fr. Joel cited an example given by Pope Benedict XVI who said smoke from an incense blurs our surrounding. Yet, the smoke symbolizes prayer rising up to God. We may find God mysterious, yet we know He is real and His love for us is true. 3. Silence. Once the farmer has sown the seeds, he cant do anything anymore, so he just Cool, clockwise from above: goes to sleep. He stays silent. Fr. Tom Cruise a.k.a. Bo Sanchez Joel said silence is an important in Mission Impossible; Michelle component of our relationship and Christine Santo Tomas in with God because silence is the yesteryears balloon skirts and language of love, and God is love. petticoats; Don Frondoso with mop Fr. Joel said let us pray for hair, printed shirt under long vest the grace to be humble -- to wait, with matching flare pants; John to be open to the mystery of God, Dulay in hippie getup. At right, last Sunday, we celebrated Fathers Day and submit to Him in silence. by praying over the Feast fathers. Bella Estrella
marry Gomer, a prostitute. Hosea obeys God and marries Gomer. After a while, Gomer leaves Hosea. God tells Homer to look for her. Again, Homer obeys God. He finds Gomer and brings her back to his home. Bro. Bo pointed out that Hosea and Gomers relationship is like the relationship of God and Israel or His people in general. God --as the husband-- does not abandon Israel-- the wife-- even as she is unfaithful to Him. No matter how far or how often we run away from God, He will always find a way to bring us back to Him. And that will never change. Kristine Mutuc Photos by Edmundo L. Santiago
S H A R I N G
Her blessings are intangible. Like the gift of faith amid lifes blows. For instance, her father suffered emphysema, an incurable disease of the lungs. Eva prayed that he would live at least 10 more years, but alas, he died.
Instead of losing faith in God, Eva realized that God gave her father not only 10 more years to live, but rather, an eternal life in Heaven. Eva thanked God that instead of succumbing to depression, she was able to hold on to her faith. She added, Its a much greater grace than material blessings.
REFLECTIONS
By SHOJI S. MERIS YOUR life amidst the problems you are facing-- health problems, financial problems, relationship problems-- will be beautiful because God will never lie about His promise to you. Those words uttered by Bro. Bo Sanchez in his talk, God Does Not Lie, the first of the Impossible series, sharply struck me, making me look into my life. I am now 40 years old and I can attest that indeed, God never lies about His promises. I experienced spiritual renewal 17 years ago when I joined a faith community composed of single people. During the first few years of my renewal, life was beautiful and easy for me. Then, trial after trial beset me. First, my father died. Then my Mom suffered heart disease. A brother faced serious marital problems. A sister suffered stroke. And just recently, another sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Whew! How can these happen at the time when I was already close to God, when in prayer meetings I attended Id heardand believed--His promises of a full life, a joyful and abundant life, for His people? But no, I did not lose heart. I held on to His promises. I told myself in His perfect time, God will make everything bright and beautiful for me again. True enough, gradually, light came into my dark, dark life. My Mom underwent open-heart surgery and its been 10 years now that she remains hale and healthy. My brother has overcome the blows on his marriage. My eldest sister has recovered from the stroke. My other sister just recently finished her six sessions of chemotherapy, without complications. Whats more we didnt have to spend a cent for the treatment because a generous soul shouldered the expenses. As for me, I am healthy, I have a flourishing career, and, more important, I am super-blessed with steadfast faith. Thus, I couldnt agree more with Bro. Bo when he said we must be firm with our dream, be flexible with our deadlines, and be free from details. As I look back to what I had gone through, I could say that I had overcome such trials through my faith and belief in Gods promises for me. I have been able to wait patiently. I surrendered my tribulations to God. I told Him, Lord, what is the best for me? I know you will give me the best at the right time and the right place. And indeed, to this day, God gives me the best. I have a good-paying job. I was promoted to an officers position. Things didnt happen overnight, not even in the details I wanted. But thats because God had the better detailsthe Big and the Best for me. God be praised!
Life Is Beautiful
TODAY
Deuteronomy 20:4 For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. Raising of Jairus Daughter Luke 8:49-55 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. Your daughter is dead, he said. Dont bother the teacher any more. Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, Dont be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed. When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the childs father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. Stop wailing, Jesus said. She is not dead but asleep. They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, My child, get up! Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Raising of the Widows Son from Nain Luke 7:11-15 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried outthe only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, Dont cry.Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, Young man, I say to you, get up! The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. Raising of Lazarus John 11:17, 38-39, 43-44 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. Take away the stone, he said.But, Lord, said Martha, the sister of the dead man, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Personal Reflection and Group Discussion: What impossible situation did you experience which God made possible? Do you have an impossible situation now that you want God to make possible? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
THE FEAST June 24, 2012
MINISTRIES
RECOLLECTIONS are solemn, somber, silent. Right? Not quite. Not the Singles Ministry recollection at the Layforce Chapel, San Carlos Seminary, Guadalupe, Makati City, last March 31, 2012 With Fr. Eric Santos and Bro. Arun Gogna as main speakers, you know this was going to be anything but silent. You know youll fall off your seat laughing as the speakers lace their talk with wit and humor. Yet, what they said at the recollection pierced your heart and awakened your spirit, you came out of the recollection refreshed, renewed, reformed. Bro. Arun, a master theologian and builder of Feast Alabang, spoke about the things that must be crucified inside you. Like self righteousness the usual Alam ko na yan attitude. Like hatred, questioning God during trials and pain. Like procrastination,
putting aside what we have to do until we run out of time to do it. Fr. Eric spoke about the gift of salvation. God desires to save us because He loves us. But to receive the gift of salvation, Fr. Eric said we must do our part. He said our homework is to live a godly life which can be possible if we pray unceasingly, if we praise God constantly, if we stay in the company of true Christians, and if we are willing to carry our cross, to be willing to go through our Good Friday, knowing after it, Easter will come! Sis. Pat Morales, head of the Singles Ministry, thanked the participants400 of them!-- for taking time to attend the recollection Hosted by Carlo Lorenzo and John Ben Rodriguez, the recollection ended with the usual wacky-wacky photo-ops. Here are the pictures Laughing out loud, from top: The participants go that say, its more fun to attend a wacky-wacky; Fr. Eric and Bro. Arun bringing the house down. Singles recollection!
CARING GROUPS
and Lumban, Quezon, to name a few, says Chelle. On Holy Wednesday this year, the group went to Bulacan and visited seven churches namely; Parish of the Divine Mercy- National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Marilao, Bulacan; Calumpit Parish Church; Barasoain Church, Malolos; St. John the Baptist Church, Calumpit; San Isidro Labrador, Pulilan, Bulacan; St. Anne Parish, Hagonoy Bayan; Sto. Rosario Parish Church, Brgy. Sto. Rosario, Hagonoy. During Holy Week this year, Buddy and Maya had to go to the United States to visit a grandson. But wed planned our Visita Iglesia before our CG heads had to go abroad. So with their blessing, we decided to push through our Visita Iglesia, Chelle says. Want your CG to last? Pray together!
Fun time, from top: Bro. Rolly Espana, Feast PICC Council head perking up the recollection; Carlo Lorenzo and John Ben Rodriguez rock it; smiling registration servants; getting to know time; and sharing recollection insights.
Back to the churches, top, standing, from left: Marie Macapagal, Chelle Crisanto; Eve Abad; Josie Espanola and daughter Joyce; seated, from left: Jun Macapagal and wife Lydia, Monette Dulay, Abel and Pinkie Victoria.
THE FEAST June 24, 2012
BLESSING L THE Philippines prides itself as the only predominantly in Asia. A O Christian countryits over 90 great majority of G million population-- about 85% S or 76 million-- are Catholics. Of this number, however,
only 15% are regularly attending Sunday Mass. Sadly, a lot of Catholics are missing out on this regular Eucharistic experience. To top the low attendance rate in Catholic churches, over the past 30 years, approximately 9 million Catholics were converted and joined various Born Again groups. Their approach, as we know, is rather simple: they are going out of their way and reaching out to the unchurched. The Born Again groups are actively engaging people in the offices, in the malls, on the streets, and in buses, even. They are often visible, befriending people, and not just on Sundays. Thus we have the Feast as a vigilant response to the dwindling number of church attendees. Its aim is to make Catholics appreciate the Holy Mass and strengthen their faith in God. The Feast is the brainchild of Bro. Bo Sanchez, founder and leader of the Light of Jesus Family, a Catholic Charismatic renewal community. The Feast is a weekly gathering which consists of a Mass, with lively praise and worship and practical talk on happy Christian living. There are now about 80 Feasts around the world and counting. More than this number, the Feast has attracted a good number of lost sheep who are now found and back in the fold of the Catholic Church and are enjoying a closer relationship with God. The Greek word for Church is ekklesia, which means called out or summoned and assembled with a purpose. A Church, therefore, is not just a structure or a building but a gathering of people and the Holy Eucharist should not be confined in its four walls but should be where the people are. Heres a story of a sister who went through detours before she found her way back to the Church.
THE YEAR 1995 was not a good year for Loie Alaba, then only 17 years old, and her family. This was when her parents separated ways. Three kidsincluding her-- moved to Cavite with their father, and one child was left with their mother in Bulacan. Back then, Loie had just started college and being the eldest, she wanted to be a good role model to her siblings. Thus, she devoted most of her precious time to her studies to maintain her scholarship, leaving none to hear Mass on Sundays. Initially, avoiding the church was just a response to her parents new status and the familys change of address, which disoriented her. Besides, why go to church when being new in the place, you dont know anyone there? Even her college course collaborated with her alibi. She took up Mass Communication, a Liberal Arts course, and Liberal Arts, you know, explores various philosophies, including opposing views about religion which could rattle, if not erode
Runaway!
By RHODA OSALVO
And so, Loie continued to keep her distance from the church. A year after, her dad passed away. In 2001, another blow hit the family. Loies mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her mother decided to seek comfort in a Baptist church, and she insisted that Loie and her siblings attend its weekly service. Just to acquiesce in the decision of her ailing mom, Louie attended, bringing along her sibs. A year after, the inevitable happened. Her mother succumbed to cancer. Orphaned, Loie and her siblings were adopted by a Born Again couple. The couple taught them a new religion, mainly opposing Catholic doctrines. They even forbid us to make the sign of the cross, Loie adds. Apparently getting more confused, Loie began to feel a deeper need to knowand find-- God. Actually, first, she became conscious about her health. She learned from her parents illnessthat a diet heavy with meat
f the embers o with co-m ord ing the L ppy serv ) now ha nts Group. p lding a ca es and Eve m left, ho tiv a (3rd fro Feast PICC Crea Loie Alab
ones faith-- especially one needing a way out of the faith. And Loie, hurting over her familys misfortune, easily snapped what filled her need at the time. She zeroed in on the thinking that, Why go to church? If you want to talk to God, you can always go to Him directly anytime. I was like, for as long as I didnt hurt anybody, I should be okay in the eyes of men and God, she recalls. Thats how she eventually justified not attending Mass-- which became her habit and her lifestyle.
fat may lead to cancer and that children of cancer victims are likely to suffer the disease too. So she resolved to be a vegetarian and do some yoga exercises. But the yoga classes included some Hinduism teachings. So unconsciously, Loie became a follower. She attended Hindu Sunday worship services and retreats, and prayed daily to Hindu gods.
A Breakthrough Sometime in 2010, Loie faced another trial. A friend at work betrayed her, jeopardizing her job. With no parents to turn to, Loie felt miserable and so alone, even Trials and Detours losing energy to go to work. In 1998, Loies dad became ill and was With no one to talk to, she turned to diagnosed with lung cancer. He consulted an self-help books. In a book store, what caught herb doctor and the doctor recommended that her eye was the book titled How To Find the family go to church and pray a novena to Extraordinary Joy at Work, written by Jon the Immaculate Conception. Escoto, one of our Feast preachers. But I thought that was a lot of I got the advice I needed from the nonsense, Loie says. I asked my parents book, she attests. how the novena and the Rosary were The book also carried information connected to my dads cancer and they simply about the publisher, the Shepherds Voice could not explain how. Publications Inc., founded by Bro. Bo
Sanchez, and so Loie got introduced to Bro. Bos life-changing books. A year later, one of her friends faced a family problem. Loie thus bought for her friend a copy of Bro. Bos Fill Your Life with Miracles. And she got another copy for herself. In the book, Bro. Bo said you can talk to God about anything, yes, even your need for miracles. And so Loie started talking to God. And God must have talked to her, too. Because from Bro. Bos books and linkages about his other ministries, she eventually found information about the Feast. And before she knew it, she was already at the Feast PICC in January 2012. I wanted to start the year right by listening to God, she says. In his books, Bro. Bo introduced me to a God I could relate to, so I wanted to get Gods message live, through His faithful messenger, Bro. Bo. That first Sunday of the first month of this year, Loie listened and listened good. Bro. Bo said words that hit me right, as if God was talking to me directly, she adds. Since then, she has been attending the Feast regularly, even bringing along her sister Rizza. Whats more, she says the Feast has taught her to understand the Catholic faith. For the first time, she appreciated the Mass, especially the homilies that explain Catholic doctrines and the real meaning of the Catholic rites. I learned about the significance of Ash Wednesday when Fr. Eric (Santos) explained it, she says. The Mass at the Feast is not a monotonous rite, but a relationship with God, she adds. Learning about the Catholic faith has led Loie to what shes been searching for. Its an intimate relationship with God, she points out. Grateful for her spiritual renewal, Loie resolved to serve God. She joined the Feast Creatives and Events Group the main task of which is to demonstrate and reinforce the Feast talks through skits and various activities at the Plenary Hall lobby. I now serve God, not out of obligation but out of my gratefulness to Him. Its my way of thanking Him for all His blessings to me--for filling up my spiritual needs. And, also, my practical needs such as improving my finances as Bro. Bo teaches us financial literacy. My service is an opportunity to give back to God. I am happiest when I am serving with the people I love and whom I now call my family, the CEG. My love tank before was empty and rusty, but now, thank God, its overflowing for I am superblessed. Yes, its been a long, circuitous journey. After some wrong turns and detours, Loie finally found her way back to the Church-and into Gods loving embrace. Editors Note: Have you a similar story on how you found God through the Feast? Share! and let the world know miracles still do happen today to give hope especially to the lost. For details, email feasteditor@ gmail.com, or call 09399044065.
Thank You, Lord, for leading us to the right people who helped us financially for the full amount we needed for Papas surgery. - Charisse Ann Enerio Thank You, Lord, for the harmonious relationships in the office. Thank You, Lord. I already have a - Evelyn Belmonte long-term health care investment. - Jilx Moron Thank You, Lord, for the new Fortuner 2012 car. Thank You, Lord, for both the - Amelia blessings and sufferings that mold my character. Thank You, Lord, for my job - Renezel Ryriewin and for keeping me and my brothers safe. Thank You, Lord, for the strength - Leonora Rina to overcome my problems. - Filda Thank You, Lord, for the good health, for my business partners, Thank You, Lord, for the financial and for the financial blessings to blessings, for the renovation of our pay my debts. house, and thank You for the car. - Eloisa - Edith Thank You, Lord, I am still strong Thank You, Lord, for the relatives and alive. Thank You, too, for the who adopted me. job for my son. - Natividad - Linda Erandis
Thank You, Lord, for the business that sustains our daily needs. Thank You for the happy family, Im very grateful, Lord, for the for my wonderful and loving 2.5 million sales! wife, and for our three children. - Ellen Salame - Dexter
Thank You, Lord, for the car plan benefit. - Anice Thank You, Lord, for another business opportunity that came Thank You, Lord, makakalakad -- a silver jewelry store. na ako (I can already walk) and - Sheryl for the financial blessings. - Winston My twin nephews who were born premature had many Thank You, Lord, for my complications including eye attendance in the Bangkok problems that could lead to convention, at no cost for me. blindness, but after three - Cathy Gonzales months, their pediatricianophthalmologist told us that Thank You, Lord, for the their eyes are now normal. keyboard I bought. Now, I am Praise God! able to practice and play worship - Katrina songs for You. - Lourdes Thank You, Lord, for the pilgrimage at Monasterio de Tarlac, for Thank You, Lord, for guiding and our safe trip, and guiding us all protecting my family in Dubai. the way. - Ma. Pauline Andrea - Carla
Thank You, Lord, for granting my wishes that my classmates pass the board exam. Thank You for giving me friends whom I can always lean on. - Glenmon
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.