Tag: Prayer

  • Faith That Learns to Kneel   

    Faith That Learns to Kneel   

    Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/memorial-saint-dominic-priest)

    There is something beautiful I have learned from walking with people through the years. The young often tell me, “Father, I thought I could do it on my own.” Parents quietly admit, “I thought I knew what was best for my family.” Even us priests, after years in ministry, discover that experience alone is not enough. There comes a point in life when we meet a problem that our talents cannot solve, our education cannot explain, and our strength cannot overcome. It is often at that moment and not when we are strongest, but when we recognize our limitations that God begins to teach us something deeper.

    This brings us into the readings that invite us to that kind of faith.

    The prophet Habakkuk lived in confusing times. Violence, injustice, and suffering surrounded him. Looking at everything happening, he cried out to God. He could not understand why evil seemed to prosper while the good continued to suffer.

    Many of us may have asked the same questions. Why do good people experience sickness? Why do honest workers remain poor? Why do families break apart despite their sacrifices?

    God did not answer Habakkuk by explaining everything. Instead, He invited him to trust, “The just one, because of his faith, shall live.”

    Faith, then, is not having all the answers. Faith is remaining faithful even when life does not immediately make sense.

    The Gospel brings us to another moment of helplessness. A father approaches Jesus because his son is suffering terribly. Before Jesus arrived, the disciples had already tried to heal the boy, but they failed.

    This failure surprised them. After all, Jesus had already given them authority to heal and cast out evil spirits. They had experienced success before. And so, they had begun to believe that they could now accomplish everything by their own ability.

    So they asked Jesus privately, “Why could we not drive it out?” Jesus answered with honesty, “Because of your little faith.“ In another account of the same event, He adds, “This kind comes out only through prayer.“

    The disciples slowly forgot where their strength came from. And sometimes we do the same.

    When things are going well, we depend more on ourselves than on God. We become so confident in our experience, our talents, our achievements, or even our position that prayer quietly disappears from our daily life. We become busy doing God’s work without spending time with God Himself.

    Then difficulties come. Suddenly, we realize that there are wounds we cannot heal, relationships we cannot fix, children we cannot completely guide, and burdens we cannot carry alone.

    Indeed, failure has a way of making us kneel. Yet, perhaps that is not a punishment. Rather, it is grace. Because when we kneel, we begin to remember that true strength has never been ours. It has always belonged to God.

    This is why Jesus says that faith even as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. He is not measuring the size of our faith but its direction. A tiny faith placed entirely in God becomes stronger than great confidence placed only in ourselves.

    Thus, prayer does not make us weak. Prayer keeps us grounded. It reminds us that we are instruments and not the source of grace. It teaches us humility without taking away our courage.

    This is the lesson both Habakkuk and the disciples had to learn. God does not ask us to be people who know everything. He asks us to become people who trust Him in everything.

    Remember, the strongest Christian is not the one who never fails. It is the one who keeps returning to God after every failure. Hinaut pa.

  • Deepening My Faith through the OAK Jubilee: Faith in Action

    Deepening My Faith through the OAK Jubilee: Faith in Action

    The year-long celebration of the 80th anniversary of the first novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in the Philippines, held at St. Clement’s Church, Redemptorists Iloilo, has profoundly impacted both my personal and professional life. As a devotee, I have been blessed abundantly, realizing how Mama Mary’s intercessory prayers have brought countless graces into my journey. This inspires me to draw closer to Jesus by remaining faithful to prayer — both in personal devotion and in praying the rosary with my family.

    As a lay professional in the academe, where responsibilities in instruction, research, innovation, and extension work are ever demanding, prayer has become my anchor. During the academic year 2025–2026, God granted me good health and wisdom to fulfill these commitments. I spearheaded a research proposal accepted by WVSU-CRISMEd, aiming to develop an application for early identification of mental health concerns and timely student support. This project seeks to contribute to scalable digital mental health interventions in education, and our team will join the Intellectual Property Bootcamp this July.

    In instruction, my Values Education module was approved by the University Instructional Materials Evaluation Committee and is now set for printing, with a copyright application in process.

    In extension work, I continue my apostolate through volunteer counseling, managing our parish Facebook page for appointments, and leading pastoral helpers and professional counselors in serving the mental health needs of parishioners and devotees of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. I have also participated in recent extension activities organized by our Department of Guidance and Values Education.

    Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate another Safeguarding Orientation Workshop with the Redemptorist Safeguarding Dissemination Team.

    As I celebrate my 12th year in the College of Education (plus 4 years and 7 months at WVSU-Pototan Campus), I bow in humility, grateful for the blessings that followed my major surgery a year ago. Truly, everything has been grace from a loving and faithful God.

    These blessings remind me that it is not about my gifts or hard work, but about a God who is loving and faithful, with Jesus and Mama Mary walking alongside me. I simply need to show up, surrender, and believe. As the new academic year approaches, I pray with fervent hope that God, Jesus, and Our Mother of Perpetual Help will remain close as I continue to serve, heed His call, and live my purpose on earth.

  • “What Is Really in My Prayer?”

    “What Is Really in My Prayer?”

    June 18, 2026 – Thursday 11th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061826.cfm)

    I met an elderly woman who came to the church every morning. Long before many people arrived, she was already there, sitting quietly before the Blessed Sacrament. As I got to know her and made deep conversations with her, I once asked her, “Nanay, what do you usually say to God during all those hours of prayer?”

    She smiled and replied, “Father, when I was younger, I talked a lot. I always had a long list of requests. I prayed for money, for health, for my husband, for our children, for many things. But now, I spend more time listening than talking. I simply tell God, ‘Lord, I am here. What do you want from me today?’”

    Her answer stayed with me because it reveals a beautiful truth that prayer is not only about what we want from God. Prayer is also about allowing God to shape our hearts.

    In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. Before teaching them the “Our Father,” He warns them not to pray like the pagans who believed that the more words they used, the more likely their gods would listen. They imagined their gods to be distant, unpredictable, and difficult to please.

    However, Jesus tells us that our God is not like that. Our Father already knows what we need before we ask Him.

    Thus, prayer is not about convincing God to care for us. Prayer is not about forcing God to grant our wishes. Prayer is about entering into a relationship with a loving Father who already knows and loves His children.

    This is why Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer. And it begins with “Our Father.” Not “My Father.” Not “Father of some people.” But “Our Father.”

    Right from the beginning, Jesus teaches us that prayer is never just about ourselves. Whenever we pray, we bring with us our families, our neighbors, our community, and even those who have hurt us.

    In this way, prayer widens our heart. It teaches us to think not only of our own needs but also of the needs of others.

    The Lord’s Prayer also invites us to seek God’s will before our own. We often come to prayer asking, “Lord, give me this,” or “Lord, solve this problem.” There is nothing wrong with that. But Jesus teaches us first to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.”

    In other words, before asking God to follow our plans, we ask for the grace to follow His will.

    The prayer also teaches trust. “Give us this day our daily bread.” Notice that Jesus says this day. He invites us to trust God one day at a time. Many of our worries come from carrying tomorrow’s burdens today. We become anxious about things that have not yet happened. But Jesus reminds us to trust that God will provide what we need for the present moment.

    Then, comes the humble recognition of our need for forgiveness. We ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. This means that prayer is not only about receiving blessings. Prayer is also about allowing God to soften our hearts. A person who refuses to forgive will eventually struggle to experience the joy of God’s mercy.

    Finally, Jesus reminds us that evil is real. We pray to be delivered from evil because there are many voices in the world that try to pull us away from God. The evil one constantly whispers that we do not need prayer, that we can rely entirely on ourselves, that other people do not matter. We must be vigilant against these temptations.

    This brings us to the first reading from Sirach. Elijah is remembered not because of his power, but because of his deep relationship with God. His life was centered on the Lord. He did not seek himself. He sought God. That is why his life became fruitful and his witness powerful.

    And so for today, let us examine our hearts and begin to ask, “What is the intention behind my prayer? Do I pray only when I need something? Do I pray only for myself? Or do I pray because I desire a deeper relationship with God?

    Remember, the goal of prayer is not simply to change God’s mind. The goal of prayer is to allow God to transform our hearts. And when our hearts are transformed, we become less self-centered and more loving, less anxious and more trusting, less focused on ourselves and more attentive to God and to one another. Hinaut pa.

  • Return to the Heart

    Return to the Heart

    February 18, 2026 – Ash Wednesday

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021826.cfm)

    Many of us today could have become busy fixing our outward life. For many young people, we fix our social media posts. We fix our appearance before going out. We fix our schedules, our plans, and our budgets. This means, there is a desire in us that we want everything to look okay in the outside. Yet sometimes, in the middle of all these, we forget to check what is happening inside our hearts.

    And so on this Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Season of Lent, we ask, “How is your heart?” To discern on this, let us explore our readings and their invitations.

    In the first reading, the prophet Joel spoke in a very strong but loving way, “Return to me with your whole heart.” Not just with rituals, not just with external actions, but with the heart. The people during Joel’s time were doing religious practices, but their lives were far from God. So the Lord tells them, “Rend your hearts, not your garments.” In other words, do not just show repentance outside. Let your heart truly turn back to God.

    This is also the message of the Gospel today. Jesus warns us not to practice our faith just to be seen by others. Jesus mentions three important practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These are the pillars of Lent. But Jesus says, do them quietly, sincerely, and from the heart. Because Lent is not about impressing people. Lent is about coming closer to God.

    For us Filipino Catholics, this message is very real. We are a religious people. We attend Mass, we join processions, we observe traditions. These are beautiful expressions of faith. But Lent invites us to go deeper. Not only devotion outside, but conversion inside.

    So, first, Prayer. Prayer is not only about asking God for what we need. Prayer is relationship. It is being aware that God is present in our daily life even at home, at work, in our struggles, and in our worries about the future.

    Sometimes we think prayer should have many words. But the Gospel reminds us, “go to your room, close the door, and be with your Father.” This means that even a few minutes of silence each day by just sitting quietly and telling God, “Lord, I am here” can already change the heart. When we become aware of God, we also become aware of ourselves including our weaknesses, our fears, our need for His mercy. Thus, prayer humbles us and brings us closer to the Lord.

    Second, Fasting and Abstinence. Many think fasting is only about not eating meat or skipping meals. However, fasting is deeper than that because it is about freedom. So, we ask, “What are the habits, attitudes, or distractions that keep me away from God and from others?”

    Maybe it is too much time on the phone. Maybe it is anger that we hold in our heart. Maybe it is gossip, pride, or laziness. Lent asks us now, “What do I need to let go so that my heart becomes lighter and freer?”

    This means that when we fast from something that controls us, we make space for God. We also become more patient, more understanding, more available to our family and to others.

    Third, Almsgiving. If prayer makes us aware of God, and fasting makes us free, then almsgiving makes us life-giving. Almsgiving is not only about giving coins to the poor. It is about giving ourselves.

    In our situation today, many people carry hidden burdens. We have financial problems, family struggles, loneliness, sickness, anxiety. Almsgiving can be our time, our presence, our listening ear, our encouragement. Sometimes what people need most is not money, but someone who will understand and care.

    This Lent, we can ask: What can I give from my heart? My time? My attention? My forgiveness? My patience?

    When we give ourselves, we begin to see the real faces of our brothers and sisters. And in them, we encounter God.

    Now, the ashes we receive today remind us that life is fragile and temporary. But more than that, they remind us of hope. Because our God is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness.”

    And so, in this Lent, let us keep it simple but sincere:
    Pray more so that we become aware of God. Fast with purpose so that we will be free. Give generously so that we will be a gift.

    As we live these from the heart, this season will not just change our practices. It will change our lives. And hopefully, as we grow closer to God, we also become closer, kinder, and more available to others. Hinaut pa.

  • THE WONDER AND POWER OF PRAYING WITH OTHERS

    THE WONDER AND POWER OF PRAYING WITH OTHERS

    October 19, 2025 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101925.cfm)

    Being with young people in the ministry, allowed me to witness and observe their difficulties as they try to live the faith. My generation, the millennial and even those who are younger than me, usually express the difficulty of consistency in praying.

    Despite the busy environment of the cities, the many distractions brought about by our gadgets, the internet and the need to socialize with others, young people also desire to have deeper grounding. This means that there is a deep desire among the young to connect with God – to be one with Him.

    Yet, the circumstances and particular situations that they are in would sometimes prevent them to be consistent in relating with God through prayer. There are also the personal struggles young people face, or problems in their relationships with their family and friends and demands from work or their studies.

    Thus, prayer is believed to be time-consuming and demanding. At times, it can be tiring. To pray can even be lonely especially when we feel alone and feel that nobody understands us.

    This Rosary Month, every night, our young people in the chaplaincy are visiting homes. And to the families who were visited, surely, you can attest to this. Sometimes they were many, sometimes few. Sometimes they were on time, sometimes late.

    Though I observe from a distance, what touched me deeply is the very presence of our young people. These students must have surely felt tired and exhausted from their academic demands. Yet, they would still make time. Sometimes after the family rosary, they would look broken and annoyed after being scolded and nagged by some elders during the Family Rosary.

    Yet, despite all these, they remained. Constantly reminding and inviting others to join in praying the rosary. Keeping the faith despite many odds.

    We may not realize, yet, prayer indeed moves us. Prayer helps us endure hardships and demands. Prayer gives us strength not to dwell on our weakness but to rely on the grace of God to work in us and with us.

    I find this a moving experience. Again, this reminds me that prayer changes people not just those who are praying but also those who are affected by the prayer in one way or another. What I find more interesting also is by witnessing how powerful prayer can be when we too are with others.

    This reminds me of the readings we have today. In the first reading, Moses raised up his hand in prayer to God. Moses prayed for Israel because an enemy waged war against them. The Book of Exodus recalls how Moses in the long run grew tired. Whenever he let his hands rest, the enemy, Amalek had the advantage of the battle.

    Yet, what is more interesting was the presence of Aaron and Hur. Seeing Moses growing tired in praying, the two helped him by supporting both hands of Moses. Through their support, Moses’ hands remained steady till sunset.

    This tells us that we find more strength in praying with others. When we too are with others even though we feel tired and lonely, the very presence of our dear friends and loved ones could uplift us and inspire us.

    The presence of Aaron and Hur reminded Moses that he was not alone in asking favor from God. Moses became persistent and consistent in praying because Aaron and Hur also joined with him.

    This story may sound primitive but there is wisdom behind here. We find it there the power of praying with our friends. Surely, praying can be tiring as Moses experienced it. It is also time-consuming. It can be emotionally exhausting especially when we are internally and externally troubled. Yet, praying with our friends is different. The company and the assurance that we are not alone, gives us hope.

    Jesus, in the Gospel, reminds us also of the need to pray always and never to give up. The parable of the persistent widow captures that message of Jesus. Moreover, Jesus also emphasized that character of God who pays attention to us and to our prayers. The dishonest judge who gave in to that persistent widow just highlighted the compassionate Father that we have. Indeed, God is most willing to listen to our prayers and grant the deepest desires of our hearts.

    Indeed, the parable is an invitation for all of us to realize the need to pray always without becoming weary or exhausted. But how do we not grow weary? Well, this is where we find the importance and significance of our friends, of our community.

    As this was addressed by Jesus to all the disciples, it is to be understood that prayer becomes our strength, source of comfort and growth in faith. Prayer also becomes our way of life as a community of disciples of Jesus. St. Paul reminds us of this in his 2nd Letter to Timothy, “be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient” – since to pray is also a means of proclaiming the Word of God.

    Now, these are the invitations for us today as well as your take-aways

    First, Pray with our friends. Do not be shy or hesitate to ask your friends to pray with you. Even if you are in a public place, pray with your friends. Even if that is through a simple meal that you share at Jollibee or Minute Burger or at a carenderia in ComCent, pray with your friends. Pray with your friends not just during bad and difficult times but also during celebrations and in times of gratitude.

    Second, Pray with the Holy Scriptures. As we pray with our friends, maximize also the gift of the Holy Bible because praying with the Holy Scriptures allows us to discover God’s wisdom and invitations. Maximize it because as St. Paul reminds us, “All Scripture is inspired by God.”

    Third, Pray to confront, to encourage and to embrace. Praying with others is not just about mumbling words or repeating memorized prayers. To pray also becomes our way of confronting ourselves of our sins and failures, to encourage one another through our presence and to embrace each one with love and affection despite our limitations and differences.

    In this way, we allow our faith to grow together as friends and as a community of believers. Hinaut pa.

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