Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers...

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times

And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine

And if He'd only grant me this wish I wished back then

I'd never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

And just because He doesn't answer, doesn't mean He don't care

'Cause some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers 

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams

And I could tell that time had changed me, in her eyes too it seemed

We tried to talk about the old days, there wasn't much we could recall

I guess the Lord knows what He's doin' after all

And as she walked away, well, I looked at my [life]

And then and there I thanked the good Lord

For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

And just because He may not answer, doesn't mean He don't care

'Cause some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered-

Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered-

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

(Garth Brooks, 1990)

Some Self-Help for Self-Transformation & Moving on in Life...

To thank God for your unanswered prayers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QESLoxIId0 

To gain the strength to give up what doesn't belong to you: Watch the movie, Unanswered Prayers (2010)

Check your loyalty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWQW8jm4nJU    

Don't let this be you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDAzYuQcgMM  

What is your Magnificat (song of praises to God) in life? Will you start writing one today?

What are your life maxims that define who you are, what you have, and all that you do? Here are mine....

Through Grace To Renewal and Redemption...

Fernando, R. (2024, April 6). Through grace to renewal and redemption. Online Ministries: Creighton University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040625.html

Reading 1, Isaiah 43:16-21

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Gospel, John 8:1-11

Reading 2, Philippians 3:8-14

The readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C, share a profound theme of renewal and redemption. From Isaiah’s prophecy of God making a way in the wilderness to Paul’s exhortation to forget the past and press on toward Christ, and finally, to the Gospel account of Jesus’ merciful response to the woman caught in adultery, we see a recurring message: God’s transformative power calls us to move forward, embracing grace over condemnation.

This theme of renewal and redemption through grace reaches its pinnacle in John 8:1-11, where Jesus encounters a woman accused of adultery. The religious leaders attempt to use this situation as a trap, expecting Jesus to either contradict Mosaic Law or undermine his message of mercy. However, his response shifts the focus from punishment to self-examination: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” One by one, the accusers leave, recognizing their own shortcomings. Instead of condemnation, Jesus offers the woman a new beginning: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, do not sin anymore.”

This passage is a powerful reflection on the nature of God’s mercy. Jesus does not deny the seriousness of sin but prioritizes redemption over retribution. His words invite us to reflect on our own tendency to judge others while overlooking our faults. More importantly, they remind us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Just as the woman was given a new chance, we too are called to rise from our past and walk forward in transformation.

In this Lenten season, these readings encourage us to embrace God’s invitation to renewal. Whether by letting go of past burdens, striving forward in faith, or showing mercy to others, we are reminded that God is always making a way for us, offering rivers in the wasteland of our lives.

Self-Reflective Questions:

• What past burdens or regrets do I need to release in order to fully embrace God’s new work in my life?
• How can I practice mercy and grace towards others, just as Jesus demonstrated to the woman in the Gospel?

Can a woman forget her baby?

“Can a woman forget her baby? 

Can she forget the child who came from her body? 

Even if she can forget her children, 

I will never forget you..."

(Is. 49:15)

Saint Joseph: The Silent Shepherd of Souls...

He was a father, yet none bore his name,
No bloodline claimed, no heir to his fame.
He held a Son whom he did not beget,
Yet in his arms, God’s salvation was set.

He was a husband, yet love took no claim,
No passions to tame, no rights to proclaim.
His vow was silence, his bond was grace,
A love unconsumed, yet time cannot erase.

He was a dreamer, yet not for his gain,
No visions of riches, no titles to reign.
His dreams were of angels, of warnings, of flight,
To guard what was sacred in faith’s solemn night.

He was a protector, yet owned not a thing,
No riches for himself, no treasures to cling.
Yet dangers he shielded, through desert and fear,
A guardian unseen, steadfast, and near.

He was a worker, yet labored unknown,
Carving and shaping, yet pride wasn’t his own.
A table, a shelter, for others he made,
A life poured out, yet love never fades.

The saint of the hidden, the uprooted, and the sent,

Those in between, the few, and whose identity is bent.

Of priests and the vowed, in missions unknown, 
Migrants and refugees, in lands not their own. 

In his shadow, their purpose glows,
They who give without taking, counting no cost.
With empty hands and silence sage,
They find their gift and rise new again.

In Salvation’s great economy, his name whispers low,
Faithful and righteous, content to let go.
In the loss of self, Saint Joseph found his call,
The father of exiles, the silent shepherd of souls.

 

(Inspired by the morning prayer on the Feast of St. Joseph, the Spouse of Mary, Our Mother - 19^th March, 2025)

A Priest's Prayer Before and After Mass...

Let This Offering Live Till I Kneel Again...

When the table is set and the candles glow,
The ashes are waiting, the water stands still,
The wine is cupped, and the bread lies low—
Prepare my soul, Lord, my longing, my will,
For the burnt offering I am about to make...

 

As wax dissolves and dust anoints,

Grape’s crimson stains my hands,

The unleavened bread in silence breaks—
Crush my soul, Lord, my dreams, my plans,
Like the sacrifice trembling in my grasp...

 

As embers whisper beneath my breath,
Wine and wax entwine in the air,
Bread’s broken scent defies even death—
Renew my soul, Lord, my life, my prayer,
As a fragrance of offering rising to You...

 

As I taste Your body and drink Your blood,
Let our flesh meet, and our blood entwine,
Flowing through every artery and vein like a sacred flood—
Heal my soul, Lord, my past, and my pains,
As a burnt offering, holy and new...

And then, when I rinse the chalice and wipe the bowl,
Blow out the candles, let shadows descend,
Fold the linens and cleanse the coal—
Make my soul, Lord, my dawns without end,
Let this offering live till I kneel again...

(Ash Wednesday Inspiration...)

Embracing the Vulnerable with Christ’s Love...

 Fernando, R. (2024, March 1). Embracing the vulnerable with Christ’s love. Online Ministries: Creighton University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/030125.html

Reading 1, Sirach 17:1-15
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18
Gospel, Mark 10:13-16

In today’s Gospel, Jesus welcomes the children with open arms, despite the disciples’ rebuke. If we take "children" to mean those who are vulnerable—those whom others can easily lead astray—we see a powerful call to action. Jesus does not turn away those who are fragile, marginalized, or struggling. Instead, He draws them close, blesses them, and affirms their place in the Kingdom of God. Jesus' indignation at the disciples' actions reminds us that we are called to protect, uplift, and guide those who are easily influenced or harmed by the world around them. He challenges us to not be obstacles but rather bridges that lead others to grace, healing, and love.

Similarly, Jesus teaches that embracing vulnerability is the key to the Kingdom. To accept the Kingdom of God like a child means to approach our faith with trust, humility, and openness—recognizing our dependence on God and allowing His love to shape our lives. Today, let us ask ourselves: 

1.     Who are the "children" in our midst who need our support? 

2.     How often do we, knowingly or unknowingly, push away the vulnerable in our communities, dismiss their struggles, silence their voices, or fail to offer the support they need?

3.     How can we be instruments of God's mercy, ensuring that no one is led into sin or despair by neglect or indifference, but let toward hope and belonging in the Kingdom of God?

How peacefully does the Lord sleep in my heart?

 Fernando, R. (2024, February 1). How peacefully does the Lord sleep in my heart? Online Ministries: Creighton University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/020125.html

Reading 1, Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

Responsorial Psalm, Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75

Gospel, Mark 4:35-41

Today’s Gospel passage from Mark 4:35-41 reveals a profound truth about faith and the state of our hearts. The disciples, overwhelmed by fear amidst the storm, woke Jesus from His sleep, doubting His care for them. His response, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” challenges us to reflect on whether our hearts are similarly restless, lacking trust in His divine power.

Faith, as described in Hebrews, is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Abraham’s journey exemplifies unwavering trust in God. He stepped into the unknown, dwelled as a stranger, and was willing to offer his only son, believing in God’s promises even when they seemed impossible. His faith was steadfast because he trusted the one who made the promise, allowing God to "prepare a city" for him. Likewise, the psalm reminds us that God fulfills His promises, raising up a Savior and showing mercy to His people. This assurance invites us to let our hearts rest in His faithfulness. 

Yet, when storms arise in our lives, do we mirror the disciples, panicked and doubtful, or Abraham, grounded in trust? Letting the Lord "sleep peacefully" in our hearts means surrendering our fears and placing full confidence in His providence. It means trusting that He holds our lives in His hands, even when the waves threaten to capsize our boat. Flickering faith agitates the heart, while steadfast trust brings calm, just as Jesus calmed the storm.

As today’s scripture challenges us to grow in faith, allowing the peace of Christ to reign within us, it also assures us that when we trust in God’s promises, we can face life’s storms with confidence, knowing that the One who commands the wind and sea dwells within us. Therefore, let us ask ourselves,

1. How peaceful or disturbed is the sleep of Our Lord within my heart today?
2. How can I cultivate a deeper, steadier faith that allows the Lord to rest peacefully in my heart, even during life’s storms?
3. What specific areas of my life reveal a lack of trust in God, and how can I surrender them to His care?
4. In moments of fear or uncertainty, how do I respond—like the disciples with doubt or like Abraham with faith?