"Trees that Woods"
Author: Unknown
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
Reflection:
Perhaps you have heard the story already but in any ways what matters most is the lesson it brings to its readers. When I read the story I never thought its ending would be that brilliant and heart moving. For me the theme of the story is, "Patience is a virtue: another manifestation of God's mysterious love." In many cases God's ways is mysterious; who would think that the trees' individual dreams will come true not of how the tress wanted it to happen but how God would want it to happen.
Sometimes we question why things are happening in our lives. Why, of all and among others, it happened to us. In most cases we complain to God why things are happening not in according to our plans and failing to ask what really is God's plan for us.
God tells us through the story that patience is what we need in reflecting what He would want to happen to our lives. He wants us to be submissive to His ways for His ways are holy and coated with authentic love; a love that surpasses what any person could imagine, a love that that will take eternity to unveil. God's love happen only if we submit and wait when it would happen according His plan.
Dear students, I know that you have so many questions in your mind that seeks for an answer, troubles that are in constant longing for peace, worries that aspire to see solutions and doubt that desires to be enlightened. All I can say is reflect for a while and look for in your heart the space that God occupies and find out how God reveals the answer. From you departs the journey towards becoming God's agent of His transformative love.
Everything will surely be clarified in God's opportune time. Just wait and learn that patience is virtue that keeps you on persevering and enduring towards the peace and happiness that your heart truly desire.
Let me end this short reflection by quoting one of St. Augustine's most quotable lines, "My heart is restless until it rest in You my God"
----rbp----
Monday, June 28, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
"Teacher's Reflection"
This week really stir up in me the desire to transfer to my students the inspiration that moved me in treating them respect and love. Together with my Third Year High School students we shared much of our faith experiences in discussing how the Church--the people of God united in love, became the "Mystical Body of Christ." But of course much is also to be shared how we together with my Fourth Year High School students are invited to become living witnesses of Christ by responding to the call holiness. Before I will integrate the following theme: "We as people of God" and "Holiness as Vocation and Mission" allow me to lead you to one of the beautiful passages written by St. Paul on issues about love, here St. Paul describe love as follows:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
In animating and in giving life to the call of holiness one is driven towards showing love to the members of the Christian family the Church. One need not to perform extraordinary deeds of kindness in responding the invitation to be Holy in forming the Church as the people of God united in love. What is needed is simple act of kindness manifested in our daily activities such as throwing the garbage properly. Wearing a smiling face in dealing with other people. A smile, one should take note, is not exclusive only to whom we know but is meant to be shared to many alien to you or not. A student can also be holy in studying faithfully his her lesson. What about you, how can you become holy in your own little way?
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
In animating and in giving life to the call of holiness one is driven towards showing love to the members of the Christian family the Church. One need not to perform extraordinary deeds of kindness in responding the invitation to be Holy in forming the Church as the people of God united in love. What is needed is simple act of kindness manifested in our daily activities such as throwing the garbage properly. Wearing a smiling face in dealing with other people. A smile, one should take note, is not exclusive only to whom we know but is meant to be shared to many alien to you or not. A student can also be holy in studying faithfully his her lesson. What about you, how can you become holy in your own little way?
“Holiness: A Biblical Perspective”
“Holiness: A Biblical Perspective”
Religion 4th Year
La Consolacion College
Bais City
Activity:
Holiness Story: Augustine
By Doak Felix
(Source: http://urbanskyesoul.blogspot.com/2008/02/holiness-story-augustine.html)
Augustine was born in the town of Hippo (present day Algeria). He was reared in the Christian faith of his mother, but as a teenager he began to rebel. He studied law, logic, and rhetoric in Carthage. Augustine became such a skilled speaker that by the age of twenty-one he moved to Rome and founded his own school of rhetoric. At this time he renounced his Christian upbringing and launched himself into the study of philosophy. By thirty, Augustine had risen to be the most well known orator in the Roman Empire, yet he found his life was full of stress.
His mother, Monica, had never ceased to pray for her son nor neglect counseling him in Christian teachings. In 386, Augustine put away his concubines (and his fiancee), his partying and converted to Christianity. Five years later he became a priest (against his will) in his home town. He founded a monastery in Hippo and preached from there for more than thirty years. Outside of the Bible, Augustine's writings have been more influential on Christian doctrine, theology, and practice than anyone else's.
Augustine was a rebellious teenager, a student, a libertine, an academic, a preacher, an author, and a son. He dealt with the same issues that we deal with today... the accumulation of wealth, diet, social injustice, personal betrayals, sex, drugs, war, civil strife, political corruption, family illnesses, emotional stress, job fulfillment, and spiritual indecision.
In his magnum opus, Confessions, Augustine detailed his inner turmoil over his struggle with temptations. He knew the heart of Paul's Epistle to the Romans (ch. 6-8) by heart because he lived it. He dealt with the problem of a person, saved by faith in Christ Jesus, who has trouble accomplishing tasks that are spiritually beneficial. He knew the awful feeling of succumbing to temptation. He knew the guilt. He also knew the blessings of temptation... namely patience, humility, and sympathy.
Discussion:
What lesson does St. Augustine’s life story want to teach us?
Christian Message:
To some “Holiness” means sacred, however the word “Holiness” would mean set apart or separated. Prophet Isaiah in one his writings noted that:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
As shown, God is holy because his ways are totally different from our ways. (cf. Jose Ma. Ygoa, Called to Holiness, Phoenix Publishing House) In most cases man wills and does things only if it is beneficial to him, contrary to that of God or Yahweh wills only what is good for his people a good act that violates no precept of love. God’s ways then is selfless.
Furthermore God wishes to extend holiness to us men by invoking Moses to tell his people to be holy. He said to mosses: "Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2. But the question however is how can we be holy. If we continue reading Leviticus chapter 19 we will find another presentation of the Decalogue of the Ten Commandments.
We may then conclude that humans can also be holy if they translate into action the will of God and follow his ways.
Moving onwards, the word holy in the Christian perspective applies to the Church which is the people of God; the mystical body of Christ, a community of believers united in the love of Christ manifested in his death on the cross redeeming man from the bondage of sin. (see CFC 1905) New Testament teaching would further emphasize that we humans became holy after Jesus unites us into His body. St. Peter in his letter preaches that: “But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were "no people" but now you are God's people; you "had not received mercy" but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10. If we dig into details 1 Peter 2:9-10 it would stress these points on God’s invitation for Humans to be Holy: 1. We become Holy because Jesus unites us into His body. 2. We become holy because we become God’s possession 3. We become holy because the Holy Spirit dwells in us; our body became the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Religion 4th Year
La Consolacion College
Bais City
Activity:
Holiness Story: Augustine
By Doak Felix
(Source: http://urbanskyesoul.blogspot.com/2008/02/holiness-story-augustine.html)
Augustine was born in the town of Hippo (present day Algeria). He was reared in the Christian faith of his mother, but as a teenager he began to rebel. He studied law, logic, and rhetoric in Carthage. Augustine became such a skilled speaker that by the age of twenty-one he moved to Rome and founded his own school of rhetoric. At this time he renounced his Christian upbringing and launched himself into the study of philosophy. By thirty, Augustine had risen to be the most well known orator in the Roman Empire, yet he found his life was full of stress.
His mother, Monica, had never ceased to pray for her son nor neglect counseling him in Christian teachings. In 386, Augustine put away his concubines (and his fiancee), his partying and converted to Christianity. Five years later he became a priest (against his will) in his home town. He founded a monastery in Hippo and preached from there for more than thirty years. Outside of the Bible, Augustine's writings have been more influential on Christian doctrine, theology, and practice than anyone else's.
Augustine was a rebellious teenager, a student, a libertine, an academic, a preacher, an author, and a son. He dealt with the same issues that we deal with today... the accumulation of wealth, diet, social injustice, personal betrayals, sex, drugs, war, civil strife, political corruption, family illnesses, emotional stress, job fulfillment, and spiritual indecision.
In his magnum opus, Confessions, Augustine detailed his inner turmoil over his struggle with temptations. He knew the heart of Paul's Epistle to the Romans (ch. 6-8) by heart because he lived it. He dealt with the problem of a person, saved by faith in Christ Jesus, who has trouble accomplishing tasks that are spiritually beneficial. He knew the awful feeling of succumbing to temptation. He knew the guilt. He also knew the blessings of temptation... namely patience, humility, and sympathy.
Discussion:
What lesson does St. Augustine’s life story want to teach us?
Christian Message:
To some “Holiness” means sacred, however the word “Holiness” would mean set apart or separated. Prophet Isaiah in one his writings noted that:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
As shown, God is holy because his ways are totally different from our ways. (cf. Jose Ma. Ygoa, Called to Holiness, Phoenix Publishing House) In most cases man wills and does things only if it is beneficial to him, contrary to that of God or Yahweh wills only what is good for his people a good act that violates no precept of love. God’s ways then is selfless.
Furthermore God wishes to extend holiness to us men by invoking Moses to tell his people to be holy. He said to mosses: "Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2. But the question however is how can we be holy. If we continue reading Leviticus chapter 19 we will find another presentation of the Decalogue of the Ten Commandments.
We may then conclude that humans can also be holy if they translate into action the will of God and follow his ways.
Moving onwards, the word holy in the Christian perspective applies to the Church which is the people of God; the mystical body of Christ, a community of believers united in the love of Christ manifested in his death on the cross redeeming man from the bondage of sin. (see CFC 1905) New Testament teaching would further emphasize that we humans became holy after Jesus unites us into His body. St. Peter in his letter preaches that: “But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were "no people" but now you are God's people; you "had not received mercy" but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10. If we dig into details 1 Peter 2:9-10 it would stress these points on God’s invitation for Humans to be Holy: 1. We become Holy because Jesus unites us into His body. 2. We become holy because we become God’s possession 3. We become holy because the Holy Spirit dwells in us; our body became the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Monday, June 21, 2010
“The Church as Mystical Body”
Lesson 2: “The Church as Mystical Body”
Religion 3rd Year
La Consolacion College
Bais City
Activity:
Ms. Fox was really disappointed in her students. They were all beautiful, brave and capable. But each was so proud of his or her achievements that they did not care about the others. Everyday they would come to Jungledom, the best school in the district, and wreak havoc. Rabbit was proud of his quick speed, Nightingale was proud of her sweet voice, Tiger was proud of his sharp claws, Snake was proud of his poisonous fangs and so on. Ms. Fox was upset with this attitude of theirs. She tried to teach them that every person had a place and a purpose in life and only if they worked together would the world be a happy place. But in vain.Then one day while they were deep in the forest, fighting amongst them, they fell into a hunter’s trap. All except Rabbit… (Source: http://www.dimdima.com)
Discussion:
How would you end the story?
What is the message of the Story?
Christian Message:
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, "Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, "Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you." Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
(Source: http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/1corinthians/1corinthians12.htm)
Focus: The Church is the Body of Christ. As a Church we become Christ’s people, community united together in the love of God. (cf. CFC 1905)
Vocabulary Analysis:
Mystery
…reality filled with the hidden presence of God (Carl Koch, A Holy Nation, Phoenix Publishing House. page 11)
...divine truths proposed to our belief “that are hidden in God and which can never be known unless they are revealed by God Himself” (CFC 1356)
BOOKS of the HOLY BIBLE
Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Tobit
Judith
Esther
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees
Job
Psalms
The Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
The Song of Songs
Wisdom
Ecclesiasticus
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Baruch
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
New Testament
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts of Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
Source: http://www.catholic.org/bible/books_bible.php
Religion 3rd Year
La Consolacion College
Bais City
Activity:
Ms. Fox was really disappointed in her students. They were all beautiful, brave and capable. But each was so proud of his or her achievements that they did not care about the others. Everyday they would come to Jungledom, the best school in the district, and wreak havoc. Rabbit was proud of his quick speed, Nightingale was proud of her sweet voice, Tiger was proud of his sharp claws, Snake was proud of his poisonous fangs and so on. Ms. Fox was upset with this attitude of theirs. She tried to teach them that every person had a place and a purpose in life and only if they worked together would the world be a happy place. But in vain.Then one day while they were deep in the forest, fighting amongst them, they fell into a hunter’s trap. All except Rabbit… (Source: http://www.dimdima.com)
Discussion:
How would you end the story?
What is the message of the Story?
Christian Message:
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, "Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, "Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you." Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
(Source: http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/1corinthians/1corinthians12.htm)
Focus: The Church is the Body of Christ. As a Church we become Christ’s people, community united together in the love of God. (cf. CFC 1905)
Vocabulary Analysis:
Mystery
…reality filled with the hidden presence of God (Carl Koch, A Holy Nation, Phoenix Publishing House. page 11)
...divine truths proposed to our belief “that are hidden in God and which can never be known unless they are revealed by God Himself” (CFC 1356)
BOOKS of the HOLY BIBLE
Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Tobit
Judith
Esther
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees
Job
Psalms
The Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
The Song of Songs
Wisdom
Ecclesiasticus
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Baruch
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
New Testament
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts of Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
Source: http://www.catholic.org/bible/books_bible.php
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
What the real problem is?
Many times we are confronted with issues that does not only test our faith but more so challenge our sense of morality. When it comes to issues of right and wrong, many favors to what they believe beneficial to them hence self serving. "It is the right thing to do if it serves my purpose", one argues. This in any sense makes "right", I believed so, subjective surpassing the sense of objectivity over the matter being discussed. But would this mentality not lead to moral pluralism? Certainly it will, it will only add up to the dilemma that slowdowns the progress of us reaching into the conclusion.
Today, side by side with our confusion of who vote when election finally comes, we faced with the sleeping issues that underlines the pending reproductive health bill in congress. Nowadays the Filipino Families is test on what side its support should be anchored, will pro or against the reproductive health bill. Loving God by loving man, I ground my self on what I believe is right not because I it beneficial but because I see it moral and inline of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
First point, population rate is not the cause of poverty. We are poor because our resources is not shared justly. We are poor because more than many are indolent and lazy. The problem of poverty is rooted on our our values system. It is due to indigestion the church teaching the widens the gap between faith and practice. By faith we believe in God but by practice we do not. Faith in God should be manifested in our dealing with others day by day.
Second point, sex and sexuality is the fulfillment of the God's promise of procreation. Procreation its inherent in sex's nature, putting it to simple terms sex results child birth unless prevented by health reasons. so if we wish to control the increasing rate of population we must control our sexual urges thus does not succumbing to lust. We should remember sex is a gift from God to married couples along with the responsibility to sanctify human family. It should by all means treated as holy by employing self discipline and sense of responsibility.
Today, side by side with our confusion of who vote when election finally comes, we faced with the sleeping issues that underlines the pending reproductive health bill in congress. Nowadays the Filipino Families is test on what side its support should be anchored, will pro or against the reproductive health bill. Loving God by loving man, I ground my self on what I believe is right not because I it beneficial but because I see it moral and inline of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
First point, population rate is not the cause of poverty. We are poor because our resources is not shared justly. We are poor because more than many are indolent and lazy. The problem of poverty is rooted on our our values system. It is due to indigestion the church teaching the widens the gap between faith and practice. By faith we believe in God but by practice we do not. Faith in God should be manifested in our dealing with others day by day.
Second point, sex and sexuality is the fulfillment of the God's promise of procreation. Procreation its inherent in sex's nature, putting it to simple terms sex results child birth unless prevented by health reasons. so if we wish to control the increasing rate of population we must control our sexual urges thus does not succumbing to lust. We should remember sex is a gift from God to married couples along with the responsibility to sanctify human family. It should by all means treated as holy by employing self discipline and sense of responsibility.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Youth
Greetings! For this year, this is my first blog. What prompt me to write is the experience I have today with my students. What happen this morning is filled with joy and feeling of gratitude. I and my 1st year St. Monica class and school administrator celebrated the Eucharistic celebration with Fr. Manny and Fr. Freddie. The homilist, Fr. Manny, elaborated that the “The youth is the hope of the nation and the hope of the church”; no doubt he is referring to my 1st year St. Monica class. Are they really, are the youth really the hope of the nation? Who are the youth today, to whom do we entrust the future of the nation and the future of the church? Are they the right investments for the future? Would the future be productive if we entrust it to them? The way I look at it, the way asses it, I am confuse, (I hope this is the right term for what I feel); I am insecure and afraid. Afraid not because I did not see and did not recognize the potentials the youth possesses but afraid because I cannot fully comprehend whether I did my part as a teacher in the formation of this youth. I cannot completely understand whether the society trained the youth to become its pride or condition them to be dependent and selfish, and insensitive. But one thing assures me, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom should I fear.” I would like to close this reflection quoting St. Francis of Assisi, “Lord make me an instrument of your peace!”
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