WILLINGNESS TO LEARN - 1ST NIGHT 9DAY NOVENA MASS - REV FR MARIO P. RIVERA

DECEMBER 16, 2010 - DECEMBER 16, 2011 - YEAR OF THE YOUTH (Theme for the Simbang Gabi)

things that we can learn from the youth :)all worth remembering!


I. WILLINGNESS TO LEARN

Youth definition - the period between childhood and adult age according to United Nations age bracket is between 15-24 years of age, whereas the bracket for the youth in the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines is from 16-35 years of age as long as your unmarried...

its is typical of the youth to strive to know the truth, have a built in inherent desire to learn, whereas adults have fixations and no longer desire to learn or improve or to explore other areas or methods of learning or to experience new things.

- Learning does not depend on age but depends on mental attitude

- as in law practice -ignorance of the law does not excuse no one, you can even get jailed for it! due to culpability

- culpability - from the Latin root word Culpa - fault; guilt; Law neglect or negligence , we usually hear MEA CULPA, or my fault, my mistake.

( means deserving of blame or censure as being wrong, evil, improper, or injurious- blameworthiness).. so ignorance is a poor excuse.

- spiritually as with sin of ommission ... we SIN when we fail to do something that we can and ought to do and use ignorance as an excuse.

ignorance is never an excuse, specially on things you should know but may notbe willing to experience, to see and to learn anymore.

- Learning expels ignorance.

- Knowledge is power - Francis Bacon...
.....it is the power to choose right from wrong and to do good! and avoid sin, it is the very reason why we should learn, need to keep learning.

- Enjoy your youth, have the willingness to learn, be responsible.

- LEARN THE WAYS OF THE LORD -

- young people are searching for something, that inner longing, an emptiness that cannot ever be filled by material things or by anything ..... it is our innate homing instinct towards God.

- when you strive and theres a will to learn = you'll gain wisdom.

the excitement of of learning separates youth from old age as long as your learning your not old!

2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT GOSPEL BY REV FATHER MARIO P. RIVERA

..... things ive learned today:


2nd SUNDAY of ADVENT : REV. FR MARIO RIVERA
1.acknowledging and addressing our sinfulness...
2.the need to accept our weaknesses, and being repentant/remorseful
3. God is gracious! - the meaning of the name JOHN, JOHNNY, JUAN, HANSEL, JANE, JOANNA, JOAN, YOHANN etc.
4. How gracious God has been in our lives, to be thankful!
5.To be thankful for the Gift of our Lives - its our OBLIGATION to improve and take care of this GIFT of Life.
6.No man is an island - You were born not just for yourself .. God put you on this earth to help to ease anothers burden, and to express Gods love for another.
7. on things/ on people that IRK us, IRRITATE us, UNSATISFY us....
Do not spoil your happiness just because of other people's weaknesses...
8. LOOK around you STILL, LOOK... at the BEAUTIFUL things you still have around you, Appreciate and be thankful , to not concentrate on the negative
9. to ask forgiveness on being ungrateful, that people may see in your life the meaning of repentance / remorsefull.. that despite our sinfulness God has been gracious.
10. What is your gift for JESUS this Christmas???

PRAYER FOR HEALING THE FAMILY TREE

sharing this.....



" Heavenly Father, I come before you as your child, in great need of your help, I have physical needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs and interpersonal needs. Many of my problems have been caused by my own failures, neglect and sinfulness, for which i humbly beg your forgiveness, Lord. But I also ask you to forgive the sins of my ancestors whose failures have left their effects on me in the form of unwanted tendencies, behavior patterns and defects in body, mind and spirit. Heal me, Lord , of all these disorders.

With your help I sincerely forgive everyone, specially living or dead members of my family tree. who have directly offended me or my loved ones in any way, or those whose sins have resulted in our present sufferings and disorders.

In the name of your Divine Son, Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit, I ask you , Father , to deliver me and my entire family tree from the influence of the evil one. Free all living and dead members of my family tree, including those in adoptive relationships, and those in extended family relationships, from every contaminating form of bondage.

By Your loving concern for us, Heavenly Father , and by the shed blood of your Precious Son Jesus, I beg you to extend your blessings to me and to all my living and deceased relatives. Heal every negative effect transmitted through all past generations, and prevent such negative effects in future generations of my family tree.

I symbolically place the cross of Jesus over the head of each person in my family tree , and between each generation; I ask you to let the cleansing blood of Jesus purify the bloodlines in my family lineage. Set your protective angels to encamp around us, and permit Archangel Raphael, the patron of Healing to administer your Divine healing power to all of us, even in areas of genetic disability. give special power to our family members , guardian angels to heal, protect, guide and encourage each of us in all our needs. Let your healing power be released at this very moment and let it continue as long as Your sovereignty permits.

In our family tree, Lord, replace all bondage with a holy bonding in family love, And let there be an ever-deeper bonding with you, Lord by the Holy Spirit, to your Son, Jesus. Let the family of the Holy Trinity pervade our family with its tender, warm, loving presence, so that our family may recognize and manifest that love in all our relationships. All of our unknown needs we include with this petition that we pray in Jesus' Precious Name. Amen

St Joseph , Patron of Family life, Pray for us and all families.

SOME THINGS THAT HAS HELPED ME BY

.. few of my favorite quotes to live by.. just sad i couldnt include the authors

HURT - Do not suppress it-that would hurt you inside.
Do not express it-this would not only hurt you inside,
it would cause ripples in your surroundings.
What you do is transform it.

Anger is a condition in which
The tongue works faster than the mind.

Anger repressed can poison a relationship
as surely as the cruelest words

You can't change the past,
but you can ruin the present
by worrying over the future and not doing anything about it

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do.
But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength

Love...and you shall be loved.

Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it.

GOD always gives HIS best to those
who leave the choice with HIM.

All people smile in the same language.

Everyone needs to be loved...
especially when they do not deserve it.

Love comes when manipulation stops;
when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully.
When you dare to be vulnerable.

The real measure of a man's wealth
is what he has invested in eternity.

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow

Laughter is God's sunshine.

Everyone has beauty
but not everyone sees it.

it's important for parents to live
the same things they teach.

Thank GOD for what you have,
TRUST GOD for what you need.

if you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday
and the worries of tomorrow,
you have no today to be thankful for.

Man looks at outward appearance
but the Lord looks within.

The choice you make today
will usually affect tomorrow.

Take time to laugh, for it is
the music of the soul.

Patience is the ability to idle your motor
when you feel like stripping your gears.

Love is strengthened by working
through conflicts together.

The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness;
to an opponent, tolerance;
to a friend, your heart;
to your child, a good example;
to a father, deference;
to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you;
to yourself, respect;
to all men, charity

Harsh words break no bones
but they do break hearts.

Before the tongue can speak,
it must have lost the power to wound

To get out of a difficulty,
one usually must go through it.

Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses,
women for their strengths

We take for granted the things
that we should be giving thanks for.

Love is the only thing that can be
divided without being diminished.

Happiness is enhanced by others
but does not depend upon others.

For every minute you are angry with someone,
you lose 60 seconds of happiness

It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly
out of one's heart rather than out of pity.
A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security
in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize.

sometimes no matter how good people are
theyre going to hurt you every once and a while
and you must forgive them for that

Do what you can, for who you can,
With what you have, and where you are.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference

on PETS and Chicken Soup -for the Pet Lovers Soul

Pets- according to Wikipedia are animal/s kept for companionship and enjoyment, reading Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul had made me more appreciative of pets we have at home and thankful we have them .. presently we have 2 large hammerhead fishes at home, one being an albino and small little ones, whom my nieces and nephews visit at once the moment they arrive for a visit at home, around 18 african lovebirds of different colors sizes and colors that my dad takes care of and is his source of excercise peace and quiet.

Presently we have a local doggie, a shitzu and the 2 japanese spitz...ive observed, laughed, cried , and was proud of all pets that had passed by me from my youth to the present.. and of course cried when there time was up .. particularly a cat who always was there when i got sick and waited to check if all the humans in the house are complete and if not she stayed at the gate til everybodys present inside, and dogs who died of illness and old age, my big fishes who fed on dog food :) .. all who during special times in my life were not just loyal uncomplaining loving silent companions and listeners but angels to our family.

Here are a few beautiful things ive learned from Chicken Soup -for the Pet Lovers Soul that made me more appreciative of these loving creations of God and am sure works on us humans too:D :

- LOVE knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.

- All are beautiful if you love them.

- Animals are such agreeable friends, they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

- Its a mistake trying to hold on to something that doesnt need you.

- on Child/ Wild Animal rearing - the object is to love them take care of them , til they can take care of themselves.

- Words hurt worst than blows.

- The first duty of love is to liste,

- where there is love expect great miracles.

- No friend can be as loving and loyal and trustful as a dog.

- Theres healing and miracles in loving hands and kindness.

- DOG - firmest of friend, frist to welcome, foremost to defend.

- The size of a friend has nothing to do with the void he/she leaves behind

- A pet named is pet claimed.

- Pets Dies- sometimes hurt is the price of loving.

- Do your best with what youve got

- from a 4 year old on why animals have short lives : everybody is born in order to learn how to live good lives and learn how to love, well animals already know that so they dont have to live as long.

ON CHASTITY with my FAVORITE SAINTS

According to the Saints, when we seek to deny our wills and offer sufferings in love for Our Lord, we draw down from heaven more grace than any other action we can possibly make. In fact, they teach us that suffering is of such great merit, that it is greater than external works such as preaching, writing, or even working miracles.

-Anyone who want to be a true Christian must mortify his flesh .. for no other reason than Jesus, who for love of us. . mortified His entire body on the cross.. – Padre Pio

-Jesus said to me; 'How many times would you have abandoned Me, my son, if I had not crucified you. Beneath the cross, one learns love, and I do not give this to everyone, but only to those souls who are dearest to Me." - PADRE PIO

- “You are the future of family love. You are the future of the joy of loving. You are the future of making your life something beautiful for God… a pure love. That you love a girl or that you love a boy is beautiful. But don’t spoil it, don’t destroy it. Keep it pure. Keep you heart virgin. Keep your love virgin, so that on the day of your marriage you can give something beautiful to each other… the joy of pure love.” Mother Theresa.


-"Holy Purity, the queen of virtues, the angelic virtue, is a jewel so precious that those who possess it become like the angels of God in heaven, even though clothed in mortal flesh."
- St. John Bosco

"As soon as you willfully allow a dialogue with temptation to begin, the soul is robbed of peace, just as consent to impurity destroys grace."
- St. Josemaria Escriva

"Temptation is necessary to make us realize that we are nothing in ourselves."
- St. Josemaria Escriva


-"Only the chaste man and the chaste woman are capable of true love."
- Pope John Paul II

-"Chastity is a difficult, long term matter; one must wait patiently for it to bear fruit, for the happiness of loving kindness which it must bring. But at the same time, chastity is the sure way to happiness."
- Pope John Paul II

-"Deep within yourself, listen to your conscience which calls you to be pure . . . a home is not warmed by the fire of pleasure which burns quickly like a pile of withered grass. Passing encounters are only a caricature of love; they injure hearts and mock God's plan."
- Pope John Paul II

-"To be pure, to remain pure, can only come at a price, the price of knowing God and loving him enough to do his will. He will always give us the strength we need to keep purity as something as beautiful for him."
- Blessed Mother Teresa

-"'Purity?' they ask. And they smile. They are the ones who go on to marriage with worn-out bodies and disillusioned souls."
- St. Josemaria Escriva

-"Filthy talk makes us feel comfortable with filthy action. But the one who knows how to control the tongue is prepared to resist the attacks of lust."
- St. Clement

-"By Lust I mean that affection of the mind that aims at the enjoyment of one's self and one's neighbor without reference to God."
- St. Augustine

-"Lust indulged became habit, and habit unresisted became necessity."
- St. Augustine

-"There is need for a crusade of manliness and purity to counteract and nullify the savage work of those who think man is a beast. And that crusade is your work."
- St. Josemaria Escriva

-"Many live like angels in the middle of the world. You, … why not you?"
- St. Josemaria Escriva

"When you decide firmly to lead a clean life, chastity will not be a burden on you: it will be a crown of triumph."
- St. Josemaria Escriva

"Don't be such as coward as to be 'brave.' Flee!"
- St. Josemaria Escriva

-"When you have sought the company of a sensual satisfaction, what loneliness afterward!"
- St. Josemaria Escriva

"To defend his purity, Saint Francis of Assisi rolled in the snow, Saint Benedict threw himself into a thornbush, Saint Bernard plunged into an icy pond . . . You . . . what have you done?"
- St. Josemaria Escriva

"Don't say, 'That's the way I am—its my character.' It's your lack of character. Esto vir!—Be a man!"
- St. Josemaria Escriva

"Purity is the fruit of prayer."
- Blessed Mother Teresa

"Purity prepares the soul for love, and love confirms the soul in purity."
- John Henry Cardinal Newman

-For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escapes the corruption that is in the world by lust. (Quote by - 2 Peter 1:4)

-Do not say that you have a chaste mind if your eyes are unchaste, because an unchaste eye betrays an unchaste heart." St. Augustine

-Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist in the pleasures of the world or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we have only if we are pure in heart and mind." Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

- "How little is purity known in the world. How little we value it. What little care we take to preserve it; what little zeal we have in asking for it, since we cannot have it of ourselves." St. John Vianney

-Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to the Blessed Mother are not simply the best way, but in fact the only way to keep purity. At the age of 20, nothing but communion can keep one's heart pure. Chastity is not possible without the Eucharist." St. Philip Neri.

-"To be pure, to remain pure, can only come at a price. This price is knowing God and loving Him enough to do His will. He will always give us the strength we need to keep purity as something beautiful for Him.” Blessed Mother Theresa

Some things ive learned in the First Chronicles of Narnia - MAGICIANS NEPHEW

1. QUEEN JADIS AND UNCLE ANDREW - on possesing hidden wisdom.. is a high and lonely destiny. They are freed from common rules just as they are cut off from common pleasures.

2. WITCHES - They are not interested in things or people unless they can use them ..
(hmmmmmm)

3. Children have one kind of silliness and grown -ups have another kind.

4. You know how it feels if you begin hoping for something that you want desperately badly: you almost fight against hope because its too good to be true, youve been dissapointed so often before.

5. ASLAN- to the creatures He gifted with speech :
Treat them ( DUMB BEASTS ) gently cherish them but do not go back to their ways lest you cease to be talking beasts. For out of them oyu were taken and into them you can return. Do not so.

6. jokes as well as justice come in with speech.

7. For what your hear depends a good deal on where you are standing, it also depends on what sort of person you are.

8. Songs - make you think, feel things you dont want to feel or think about.

9. the trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.

10. Are you Animal? Vegetable? or Mineral?

11. Evil will come of evil

12. As Adams race has done the harm , Adams race shall help to heal it.

13.ASLAN to the HUMANS :

- Can you rule these creatures kindly and fairly? remebering that theyre not slaves
- and would you bring up your children and grandchildren to do the same?
- and you wouldnt have favorites either?

14. LEADERSHIP, Nationalism and Bravery
"..and if enemies come against the Land and there was war, would you be the First to charge and the last to retreat"

15. There will always be a way through.

16. Grief is great, only you and I in this land know it yet. (Aslan to the Boy)

17. Come in by the gold gates, or not at all
take of my fruit for others or forebear
For those who steal or those who climb my wall
shall find their hearts desire and find despair

18. as to Polys request to Aslan to remove the fright of Uncle Andrew:
" I cannot tell that to this old sinner and i cannot comfort this sinner either : He has made himself unable to hear my voice, Oh Adams sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good"

19. Sleep - the only gift God gives to those not able to hear him anymore, separates us for a few hours from all the torments we have devised for ourselves.

20 Be just and merciful and brave.. for the blessings will be upon you.

21. Things always work out according to their nature.

22. Length of days with an evil heart is only length of misery all they get what they want ... and they do not like it. For the fruit always works but it does not work happily for any who pluck it at their own will.

23. You need no rings when am with you . (Aslan to the Children)

24. It is not certain that some wicked one of yoru race will not find out a secret as evil as the Deplorable Word ( a word that wiped out a whole race) and use it to destroy all living things.

25. Tyrants - who car eno more of Joy and justice and mercy.

26. When things go wrong , youll find they usually go on getting worse for some time: But when things once start going straight the often go on getting better and better.

31 Things Ive learned in "HE's NOT JUST INTO YOU"

Why am a writing this? maybe its the same reason why the book was even a best seller for myslef and for all the ladies out there to realize their worth!...its an eye opener.. its something to think about and reflect about.. so heres a few lines we can reflect on.

and to let it be a reminder to all ladies out there.. that you are worth all the drops of blood of one who died and was crucified 2000 years ago. Waiting sucks but relax.. in Gods time all will be well.


1. if you dont feel like you rushing, why are you waiting?

2. Do you really care who you marry? or just want to be married?

3. a man who wants his relationship to work will move mountains to keep the woman he loves NOT RELEASE HER.

4. The only reason he missed you is he chooses everday to be without you.

5. How fast does he get rid of you?

6. A good relationship should never be lived in secrecy.

7. If hes married .." HES NOT YOURS" !.

8. Is he making you happy?

9.Does he make it clear everyday not just in words that your happiness is important to him?

10. Set your standards to to what you will , and will not tolerate.

11. Being in a good relationsip is better than a bad relationship and youll never be able to be in a good relationship if your sticking with a bad one.

12. Most of the great thingswe want in life are intimidating, its what makes it exciting.

13. Wasting time with the wrong person is JUST THAT...WASTING TIME.

14. An EXCUSE is a polite rejection

15. Actions speaks louder than words.

16. If i like you i dont forget you.. same with promsising to call etc.

17. Says what they mean and mean what they say.

18. Keeps promises.

19. Busy means i dont care enough.

20. On a recurring fight - respects and cares for your feelings and needs.

21. Makes an effort to keep the peace, ease and harmony.

22. Dating means its official.

23. Friends dont make you cry yourself to sleep.

24. A man who wants you will want to lay claim on you for himself.

25. He will never keep you in the dark.

26. Dont lower the bar becasue yoru lonely.

27. Why buy the cow when you can have her for free.

28. Never feel honored for little scraps of his time.

29.Theres never going to be a good excuse for cheating!

30 Cheating DOESNT JUST HAPPEN it was planned and executed with the full knowledge that it could end your relationship.

31. Cheating is a complete breach of trust!

MOTHERS DAY

My two very beautiful mother's ... taken May 9,2010 in Sto. Rosario Parish Church after the 6:30 am Mass. Where all moms were called in the altar by Fr. Tony and then blessed ... to me it was just like any other day when these two moms proved they were really my Moms in the truest sense of the word... such small gestures but to me i would cherish and remember this memories .. my mom woke me up because it was only me and her who have not gone to mass yet, since the rest of the family were in choir and we are scheduled saturdays anticipated mass... so we prepared and as i was about to go out the house she saw my shoe ribbon and stooped down to ribbon my crocs :D take note i am 36! i was deeply touched and humbled so i hugged her and thanked her.

as for my other Mama, MAMA MARY... i asked her something that Mothers Day and she answered it not less than 24 hours to show me she loves me and is there not far away from me guiding me and only wants my good and away from anything that might lead me astray or hurt me ... as only true moms do, they anticipate things you have not reflected upon that in the long run may do you more harm than good.

I love you both very much , thank you for raising me and always being there for me.. specailly during my stubborn days and for my hardheaded ways, thanks for not ever giving up on me.... Belated Happy Mothers day to you both I love you both so much!!!

WILL YOU COME AND FOLLOW ME

another beautiful song with beautiful lyrics called THE SUMMON,
....... for the times Lord that i find it so hard to follow you , times that i feel different and alienated from others because i try my best to follow you, for the times i complain, for the times i played it safe, for the times i favored human approval than you, when i choose to remain silent when i should have spoken, when my fear is great, when i find it difficult to go on, to try again, to be patient, to wait..... i do know You yourself never had it easy in this world.....

may i remember this song.....



Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
Will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
Should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
And do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the 'you' you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found
To reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I'll go
Where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me