Ur Sunday Dose: We Shall Be Glorified Too! (Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary)

August 15, 2010
SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Lk 1, 39-56

WE SHALL BE GLORIFIED TOO!

SOMETIME in my teenage life, I asked my priest-friend, “Fads, ano ba ang reality ng Assumption?” I asked so, because even though I believed that Mary assumed to Heaven, I am still searching for its realization, how did it happen.

My priest-friend answered, “Kahit na ang mga dalubhasa ng Simbahan, hindi alam kung paano nga ba nangyari ito. May nagsasabing nakatulog si Maria, at sa pagkakatulog niyang yun, siya ay ginising ng mga Anghel at dinala sa Langit. May iba namang nagsasabi na si Maria ay namatay talaga ng pagkatanda, pero pagkatapos siyang ilibing, dun siya dinala sa Langit.”

Through that, I came to know of the two theories behind Mary’s death: there is the theory of the Dormition (for the Orthodox), and the Theory of Assumption (for us Catholics).

In the Dormition, it is said that Mary really died and on this death, She assumed to heaven on her soul on the moment of her death, followed by her body on the third day.

However, we Catholics believe that Mary, on the completion of her days, assumed to Heaven body and soul, in one complete being. We are split into two upon the question of whether or not Mary died. Some believe on it, others do not.

Whatever the theories may say, one thing is important. Mary was taken to Heaven, and there she is now with her Son, guiding each and everyone of us on our journey here on Earth. Mary was a very humble servant of God. She followed His will, and for this, to her was given the most important grace: the grace of incorruption, and being glorified with her Son.

Same thing goes to those who follow God’s Divine Will no matter what. When we complete our days, just as God promised through Jesus’ sacrifice, we shall also experience the grace of resurrection. We shall also be glorified on the way as Mary did.

Yes. We shall suffer a great deal here on Earth. These are God’s test for all to see whether or not we follow God’s Will. We must persevere. We must continue living and doing good. Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa sa buhay na meron tayo. Kasama natin ang Panginoon sa bawat sandali. He never abandons us, he just wants to see who are really worthy of his graces and mercy. We pray that one day, like Mary, we can also sing the praises of God there in the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Actually, hindi na rin kasi kailangang hintayin ang kamatayan natin. As St. Therese said, Let us spend heaven doing good upon Earth. We continue living and doing His Will here, by serving others and loving our Neighbor. We could be God’s perfect representative on Earth though our deeds. Being Christians, this is our challenge: Heaven is our goal; Earth is our training ground.

I believe that Mary died naturally, and after her death, she was taken to Heaven. This is on the fact that just as Christ experienced death for him to be glorified, it is the same for his Mother, and on a broader view, for all of us. We shall die here on Earth, yet we shall one day be glorified just as Jesus and Mary did.

And so we give honor to Mary:

Ave, Regina Caelorum,

Ave, Domina Angelorum:

Salve, radix, salve, porta

Ex qua mundo lux est orta:

Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,

Super omnes speciosa,

Vale, o valde decora,

Et pro nobis Christum exora.

KuyaZeke,ccs_081410

ZEKE XX: 7 days... (BE Primer... sa wakas!!!)

With this post, I've had 14 posts already in-line with my 20th Lifeday on Aug. 19. The intensity of excitement which I usually feel days ahead of my Lifeday is escalating already. Especially now that I'm only Seven days away from the Day itself.

As I look at the past days and months, it looks like more of a life-lesson than the usual days spent. The experiences I had, the undertakings I did, and everything in between. It all taught me a lesson, in a way or another. It is so many, I have no idea how to put it into a sentence.

Well, it could go like this... When facing anything, just be yourself. Leave everything to God. Everything will follow. Yah, right. The sentences define each and every lesson I had in the past 365 days.

There are certain times kasi na I felt like I'm not Weldann. I'm somebody else. I'm always on the mask. And on those times, I felt like my plan's going upside down, and somebody else's plan go on its right way. At one point, I'm confused. I realize my plan's not going through, and it's unfair. Then later on, I realize deeper and see... it's God's plan all along. He's slapping me all the way!

Thanks God for all those realizations. I've been a better person because of all those realities. Well, it is a full proof that I'd never going to be the master of my life. Still, there is somebody out there directing my every move. It hurts, though, but that is the reality of it. I must face every single thing. And face it with a feeling of entrustment to God. Later, I see everything unfold smoothly.

Nice thoughts. I feel relieved now. I'm now ready to post the Birthday Essay!

After this post, and that of Ur Sunday Dose (which will be posted on Saturday Morning), would come the most anticipated post of the year in this side of the Blogosphere...
~ ZEKE XX: 20 YEARS of being Somebody for Everybody (The Birthday Essay MXX)
~ The Three Wishes MXX
The posts will be out sometime next week, starting from the coming weekend. So, better watch out for it.

KuyaZeke,ccs_081210

ZEKE XX: Bekimons rule!?!

Halleklavu guys chenelin! Navasa sokaw natchi ba ang latest satchi blog ni lolabelles na "One With Sokaw"? Chorva!

(Hello, guys! Nabasa ninyo na ba ang latest sa blog ko na "One With You"?)

It may sound funny to you, but it is common to Pinoys of the Third Sex. I'm referring to Gays and Homos. It is referred to as Gay Lingo. It is the common dialect of Third-sex pinoys. You can hear them everytime you come to a Gay Beauty Parlor, or when there are a number of gays in a corner talking about this and that. It has been an institution in Pinoy Gay Culture for sometime now, and it is something that we can find only in the Philippines.

Well, I typed this post because as I have been known, Gay Lingo has gone another level, with a new name which would sound funny either. Gay Lingo, now known as Bekimon (Thanks to the Jejemons), is the T (Talk of the Town) days after the news about its existence was aired on TV. Gay Lingo has really gone a really long way from being a simple queer talk to being an institution in the Filipino Culture.

I am not a stranger to this dialect, thanks to gay friends who are never afraid of talking the Lingo in my front. Yet, though not a stranger, I still do not know the different words that form part of the Lingo. Masakit sa Bangs kung pag-aaralan siya. hahaha...

One more thing, when you encounter Literary Criticism in College, you would also verge over Gay Literature, certain literary pieces which were written by our Third-sex friends. It is full of color, and excitement. You would certainly appreciate it, especially if you are in to knowing more of their colorful life.

We could ask, bakit pa sila may ganyan-ganyan? Pwede namang tagalog na lang?

Certainlyski, language is one common kikironer of communication for all chenes. and for our friends tarush, they want their own mode of communication techi be atchi lot more.. chorva. Colorful chenelin. Minsan rin naman kasi chenelin, there are fayatollah kumenisgs that they don't want techi convey in the common techingue tarush. Perhaps because anitch is pleasant techi jula, when converted techi tagalog tarush, is not good in the common ear tarush. When jokaw speak vekimon with anikther hometch, sokaw are very sure that he/she would understand anitchever jokaw would want techi say chenelin, while keeping sokawr message safe from the common ear chorva. At isa pa, it is a way of knowing if jokaw are atchi part of the federation chenes. If sokaw deklavu not know even a single word of the lingetch, then etchusa ka!! chenelin!

(Certainly, Language is one common manner of communication for all. And for our friends, they want their own mode of communication to be a lot more... colorful. Minsan rin naman kasi, there are things that they don't want to convey in the common tongue. Perhaps because what is pleasant to them, when converted to tagalog, is not good in the common ear. When you speak bekimon with another homo, you are very sure that he/she would understand whatever you would want to say, while keeping your message safe from the common ear. At isa pa, it is a way of knowing if you are a part of the Federation. If you do not know even a single word of the lingo, then Etchusa ka!!!)

Minsan kaserlyn, if sokaw want techi understand somevody's language chorva, jokaw must know of their culture. study of their language tarush, and that's it chorva. Siyempre, hindi naman ivig sayhin na gumagamit katchi ng gurl lingetch ay bakla ka na, kaseklavu madalas chenes, ganitetch ngatchi ang nagiging dating kung marunong kang magsalita ng salitang vaklatchi. C

henes.

(Minsan kasi, if you want to understand somebody's language, you must know of their culture. Study of their language, and that's it. Siyempre, hindi naman ibig sabihin na gumagamit ka ng Gay Lingo ay bakla ka na, kaso madalas, ganito nga ang nagiging dating kung marunong kang magsalita ng salitang bakla.)

...

hindi sokim bakla! keri?

(

I'm not gay, okey?)

Well, post ends here. But before I end the post in the usual manner, here is a Bekimon Vid that you would surely like. I chose this because this is in-line with my course. Remember mothers, don't send an excuse letter to school using Gay Lingo. It will certainly be rejected. hehehe....

Also, I would give a recommended site if you would want to know more of the Bekimon Culture. This is a Bekimon Translator. Click here...

Keri chorva, aalis na jokum. More powhsts techi come tarush. Vye chorva!

(Okey, aalis na ako. More posts to come. bye!)

KuyaZeke,ccs_080910 :)

ZEKE XX: The Real Meaning of the Name...

Last night, when we were in class, my professor asked us where did our names came from. She passed by the many names which were written on the sheets of paper that we submitted to her (Note: Ganun kasi nagpalit kami ng prof sa subject na iyun. Even the class schedule changed.). And so, she passed by my paper, with my full name written on it together with the other info.

When she read my name, Panganiban, Weldann Lester A., I raised my hands for me to be noticed. When she saw me, she asked me this puzzling question: San nanggaling ang pangalan mong Weldann? I stood up to give my reply, although I was not sure of the real story.

It came from a suggestion of my mommy's friend. I'm not really sure who the friend is, and why among all the names in the world which were common, to me was given a name very unfamiliar. We can say that it came from that style of cooking Steak. But I'm not really sure.

Though that was my mommy's story, I have my own interpretation of the Name Weldann Lester:

Weldann: as people thought of it, same with mine, it means a job finished in an excellent manner.
Lester: Dictionary meaning says "From Leicester (France)", but for me, it means less or low.
Weldann Lester: Something excellently done in a lesser manner, profile, or something like that. In other words, Great, yet least.

But wherever the name might came from, I know one thing is sure: I haven't lived it up to my name... really enough. Sometimes kasi, your name is very far from your personality. Though there are still times that you are living according to your name and that's really good, it does not happen every time.

As for my case, being somebody who has been endowed with lots of gifts from heaven, people continue to say that I'm perfect for almost any chore. I'm happy every time I hear that compliment, and yet, I realize that it's still not enough. You wake up one day bearing a name in the midst of a crowd who does not believe in you. That means something.

As long as I could not fulfill the real meaning of my very own name, I'd still never be Weldann Lester. Nope, I'm not Weldann Lester yet. Not yet for the past two decades. I hope against all hope that the next year or decade would be the time that I would really live as my name calls of it.

Final Note: Names are of greater importance than any nickname of any kind. Be proud of your name, it is your personality. Me? I'm really proud of being Weldann Lester than of being Bitoy or Zeke. After all, it IS my name that counts.

KuyaZeke,ccs_080810 :)

Ur Sunday Dose: More than a Typhoon... (19th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

August 08, 2010
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lk 12, 32-48 (12, 35-40)

MORE THAN A TYPHOON...

ISA na sa mga karaniwang bahagi ng buhay ng pinoy ang bagyo. Hindi lalagpas sa 30 bagyo ang dumaraan sa Pilipinas sa loob ng isang taon. May dadaan lang sa dagat na parang wala lang, subalit may ibang dumadaong pa sa lupa upang maghasik ng kapahamakan sa bayan. Ito ang ating kinatatakutan.

Kapag may bagyo, alam nating matinding pagsalanta ang ibig sabihin nito. Lahat tayo ay naghahanda. Alam nating hindi tayo dapat nakatunganga lang sa isang tabi. May mga namimili na ng pagkain, nag-iimbak kung baga. May ilan na nag-aayos na ng mga butas ng bubong, at ng mga harang sa mga pintuan ng bahay. Itinataas natin ang lahat ng gamit na nasa mababang bahagi ng bahay. Pero kahit na ganitong katindi na ang ating paghahanda, hindi pa rin natin alam kung gaanong kalakas ang magiging dating ng bagyong paparating. Kaya tayo ay nagdarasal para hindi sana ganoong katindi ang epekto ng delubyo sa ating bayan.

Pero ganoon man, may mga pagkakataon pa ring hindi tayo nakakapaghanda talaga. Halimbawa na diyan ay ang Bagyong Ondoy noong isang taon. Akala ng lahat, ay hindi ganoong katindi ang epekto ng bagyo, subalit napuna na lang natin, lumulusong na tayo sa lagpas-dibdib na baha. Nakita na lang natin, ang bahay natin ay nakababad na rin sa tubig, kasama ang lahat ng ating mga naipundar sa nakalipas na panahon. Maraming namatay, maraming nawalan ng bahay. Hindi talaga tayo nakapaghanda ng ganoong kainam.

Ganoon rin ang nangyari kamakailan lang sa pagdating ng Bagyong Basyang. Akala natin ay sa Norte lang tatama ang bagyo. Gabi na nang nalaman nating Signal Number 02 ang Metro Manila. Mas matindi pa doon, mas matindi pa sa Signal Number 02 ang ating naranasan sa magdamag. Parang binalikan tayo ni Ondoy. Hindi na naman tayo nakapaghanda, kaya marami na namang nasalanta.

Buti nga, bagyo lang yun. Paano pa kaya kapag ang Panginoon na mismo ang dumating? Handa rin ba tayo?

Sa Ebanghelyo ngayong Linggo, maririnig natin si Kristo na nagsasalita. You must be prepared, because you do not know the exact hour, in which the Son of Man is coming. Maghanda tayo, higit sa lahat, sa pagdating ni Kristo. Baka mamaya, o bukas, o pagkatapos mong basahin ang USD na ito, ay dumating na siya. Sabi nga, He is coming like a thief in the night.

Yes, he’s coming. And we must be prepared more than we prepare for typhoons. Because His coming is more frightening than the coming of Typhoons, yet more powerful than any other leader of this world. Pagdating niya, huhukumin niya sa Hustisya ang lahat ng tao. He will call the worthy to the Kingdom of Heaven, while the unfaithful will be led to the flames.

We know that he is always here in our midst, when we pray, when we do good, yet we must also know that he would also see him in the flesh on that day. The question is this: How do we prepare?

Jesus gives the answer: Sell your Belongings, and give it to the poor. Gird your loins, and light your lamps. Be like servants watchful and waiting for the coming of their master at anytime of the day.

We must sell everything we have. Handa dapat tayong ibigay ang anumang meron tayo sa oras ng pangangailangan. Our hearts are made for loving God and neighbor, not loving ourselves and our possessions. God gave all these things for our growth, we must be ready to give this to everyone in need. Huwag tayong matakot na ipagbili ang lahat ng ating ari-arian, manalig lang tayong ibabalik ito ng Diyos sa atin, siksik, liglig at umaapaw. Remember His words, kung nasaan ang iyong kayamanan, naroon din ang iyong puso.

We must be vigilant and watchful. Hindi dapat niya tayo makitang walang ginagawa. We must be praying and doing good EVERYTIME. We must be following His will EVERYTIME. Though it is painful in our hearts, we must continue doing good, and do it untiringly. Nothing must be expected in return. Do His will AT ALL TIMES. He has this promise: Blessed are the servants that he sees waiting for his coming. He will have them share on his table.

Kung gaano katindi tayo naghahanda sa pagdating ng bagyo o ng anumang sakuna, ganoon rin sanang katindi , o mas higit pa nga sana, ang ating paghahanda sa Kanyang pagdating sa araw at oras na hindi natin inaasahan. Sa dulo ng lahat, ano pa kaya ang mas matindi: ang bagyo, o ang Diyos?

KuyaZeke,ccs_080610

ZEKE XX: Let's talk On Relics

I received my first set of relics as a graduation gift in 2006. It came from Kuya Dave Dela Cruz, who I would come to know as Fra. Dave,ccs, the Director of the Confraternity of Catholic Saints. It was composed of Stampitas of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta, with a piece of her clothing, and some other prayer cards and sacramentals. With that started my part of the ministry of taking custody of the Holy Relics, which continues up until the present.

One of the main Ministries of the Confraternity of Catholic Saints is taking care of the Holy Relics of Our Lord, Mary and the Saints, and making sure that its members are living after the Saints, through these Holy Objects. Included here is the reporting of certain abusers of the relics to the proper authorities. This is our way of promoting the Spirituality of the Saints.

Some relics under my custody are those from Sts. Frances de Chantal, Francis de Sales, Louie de Montfort, Bernard of Corleone, and some others. Most precious is that piece of wood from the Most Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not really that important, no? (just joking.) At present, I am the Vicar Custos of the Confraternity of Catholic Saints. He is the secondary caretaker of the Holy Relics under the custody of the CCS.

Now, if you would ask me, How sure am I of the Relics under my care? Let me share with you my point of view with regards with the surety of the Authenticity of the Holy Relics. These came from my old post in Multiply on the same subject: Relics.

===+===

First is the Ecclesiastical Recognition. For one to be recognized as authentic, there must be the red wax with the seal of the bishop, or the postulator. There must also be a red thread within the theca to protect the relic, and a letter of authenticity accompanying the relic...

...Another Aspect is the Sacred Tradition. Accompanying the Sacred Scripture, Tradition is also a basis of the faith and life of the Church. When one relic is venerated in a place, it is considered to be authentic. In my instance, the Relics came from a very long way before it came to my care (considering the age of the Thecas and the dust inside them.), same thing with the most important one...

...There comes the Third and most important aspect, Faith. If the Church said that thr relic is authentic, it is authentic. If it can lead you to a deeper communion with God, or a particular saint, well indeed it is authetic.

And so enters my day-to-day interaction with the relics that I have. As I ask their intercession, and as I ask the protection of the Holy Cross, I can really feel what I am asking. For a lay person like me, being protected through the intercession of the Saints is enough to tell that ALL RELICS under my care ARE AUTHENTIC. Yes, even the Most Important Relic of the Wood from the Cross of Jesus. No Doubt about it. It made me forget my past disbelief, and made me realize that eventhough it is a relic of the most important thing that the Lord used, if it cannot lead you to a deeper faith, still, it is useless...

Source: Talking About Relics, my post on the Custody on the Holy Relics
http://litranista001.multiply.com/journal/item/268/Talking_about_Relics...

===+===

Now, with me as a caretaker of some precious remains of the Holy Ones, it is a very hard task taking the very utmost care of these sacred remains. At times, I realize that I am really unworthy of being considered as Vicar Custos of the Confraternity. Sino ba naman ako? I don't know how to take care of these relics at the first place.

But carefully, the Lord taught me how to revere on these Remains. These holy remains taught me how to follow the holiness, the example of the saints, whose body parts had gone to my care. I continually pray that I may be a true example of a real caretaker of Relics. Not a fanatic, but somebody who really venerates these precious remains of the Saints of God.

KuyaZeke,ccs_040610

ZEKE XX: Tahimik, Napakatahimik (A Reflection on Silence)

As it is very obvious, this is but a repost of one of my most inspiring blogposts for the past year. I posted this on my Multiply site last September 2009. It focuses on the two sides of silence, and its real essence. If you cannot understand this little tee note, well, keep on reading. Ciao! :)

======

(GNote: I created this reflection when I was alone in my room. I think it was already Two o'clock in the morning of Spetember 21, 2009 when I created this. It was just a result of the silent environment brought about by the time.
It was so, because I am suffering insomnia as of the moment. I cannot sleep during the nighttime, I could lie to sleep already in the early hours of the next day... madaling-araw kung baga. It was a little bit irritating, and I miss sleeping early. Perhaps, I would have it again after the leave. I hope you would have something out of this.)

Tahimik na tahanan, tahimik na paligid, tahimik na bayan, tahimik na mundo.

ahh, tahimik. sinong hindi nagnanais na magkaroon ng katahimikan ang buhay? sino ang nagnanais ng gulo? ng ingay? ng distorbo?

walang makakapantay sa isang buhay na tahimik: payapa, matiwasay, mainam at maayos. lahat ay nasa wasto. walang gulo, walang giyera, walang away. lahat masaya, lahat enjoy.

pero sandali... kung nais natin ang buhay na tahimik, dapat lamang na ating tanggapin ang kanyang mga kasama't kaagapay. oo, nakakaramdam tayo ng tiwasay na pakiramdam pag tahimik ang lahat, ngunit hindi hindi siya ganap kung wala ang kanyang mga kasama.

ito ay ang pagkabingi, pag-iisa at pangungulila. kasama rin ang kawalan, kakulangan at kadiliman. lahat sila, pantay-pantay. lahat sila, balanse. hindi sasama ang lahat kung wala ang isa.

sabi nga nila, nakakabingi ang katahimikan. ang sabi ko naman, hindi lang siya nakakabingi.

nagdudulot rin siya ng pag-iisa at pangungulila, sapagkat sa katahimikan, parang pakiramdam mo ay wala kang masasandalan. Ikaw lang at ang mundong iyong ginagalawan. Napakahina mong maituturing.

Nararamdaman mo rin sa kanya ang kawalan, kakulangan at kadiliman. sa isang tahimik na paligid, feeling loner ka, parang namatayan ng nanay, tatay, o matalik na kaibigan. Hindi mo alam kung saan ka pupunta. Lahat ay madilim, lahat ay magulo.

ganito ang aking pasya ukol rito sapagkat kailangan nating tanggapin na ang kakulangan ay hindi lamang nakakapagdulot ng ayos, kundi ng kakulangan sa pagkatao. Walang balanse, hindi ganap.

Pero hindi ko sinasabing walang maidudulot na maganda ang katahimikan. Tulad ng isinaad ko sa itaas, makakaramdam ka rito ng kapayapaan, katiwasayan, kaayusan, at kaganapan.

Ang gulo, hindi ba?

May mga kaibigan akong nakikita sa katahimikan ang tiwasay na pag-iisip. nas nakakapag-aral sila, mas nagagawa nila ang dapat nilang gawin pag tahimik ang paligid. Mas nakakapagdasal sila ng maayos sa katahimikan.Para sa kanila, Silence is a time for thinking on things. Oo nga naman. Kasi payapa ang paligid, walang distraction, walang gugulo sa kanila. Totoo nga naman. Silence means concentration for them. at parang hindi sila makakapaggawa ng maayos sa ingay ng mundo.

Pero may mga taong nais ang katahimikan dahil nais nilang sila ang maging hari't reyna ng sandaling iyon. Doon sa mga puntong tahimik ang paligid, iniisip nila ang mga pagmamayabang na nagawa nila sa kapwa, mga pagmamaltrato sa iba, at lahat ng kasaamaan. mali ito. Dito pumapasok ang masamang epekto ng katahimikan. For these guys, Silence means emptiness. At mas nanaisin nila ang ingay ng mundo kaysa sa tahimik na paligid.

Mga kapatid, mali ang parehong punto. Paano ko nasabi?

Hindi naman talaga natin masasabi ang kaganapan ng lahat ng bagay sa katahimikan. Oo, sa katahimikan mo nagagawa ang mga bagay na nais mong gawin, at sa katahimikan mo naiisip ang kawalan dahil sa kasamaang kanilang nagawa. Subalit sa mga taong ito, na naghahangad ng katahimikan, nakakalimutan na nila ang katotohanang nilikha ng Diyos ang Ingay at Katahimikan sa balanseng paraan, tulad ng liwanag at dilim, lupa at dagat, langit at ang lupa, at ang tao at ang kanyang katauhan.

They often look for silence when they are in the middle of the big noise, without realizing that there is silence before and after the big noise.

Bakit ganito ang karamihan sa atin?

Mas nararapat siguro sa atin ang pagkakaroon ng balanse. Maraming nagagawa ang ingay, at maraming nagagawa ang katahimikan, mabuti man o masama. kahit na anong iwas natin sa ingay, at naisin ang katahimikan, hindi pa rin mawawala sa balanse ng mga bagay ang ingay. Marami man ang pagkakataon nating mag-reflect sa katahimikan, still, we must reflect in the midst of the mob.

Masaya ang tahimik, ngunit kailangan ang sapat na katahimikan para iangkop sa sapat na ingay na ating matatanggap.

Panghuli...

God works in silence, God speaks in silence. True. pero we must not deny the fact that God also works in the midst of the noise of today's world. He speaks through the shouting and jeering.

God works in silence and in noise. He is everywhere, everytime.

Sleep tight, Bitoy! Gud nyt!

09-21-09

KuyaZeke,ccs_080410