Simply My Thoughts

My sermonette for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

When we hear the words trust, loyalty, courage, hope and believe, it reminds us of one thing and it is FAITH. Because when we have faith we are loyal, we trust and we hope and we only hope because we believed.

When can we say that we have faith? Surely it includes attending mass and praying. These practices are signs of faith. But faith entails action and these actions affect our life.

When can we say we have in God?

Faith is Something deep within us. They said the FAITH is so beautiful when translated into Tagalog, which is PANANAMPALATAYA. And what makes this word pananampalataya so beautiful? It is because of its root word which is "TAYA", pagbibigay ng sarili in our Filipino context. This makes this virtue more challenging for me because I need to act, I need to do something and doing something demands my wholeness as a person, I will give my self to him, to his plan.

It is very hard and challenging to give our selves, mahirap ITAYA ang ating sarili, we fear because of pride and selfishness, mahirap ITAYA and sarili ng walang katiyakan. Mahirap ITAYA ang sarili ng walang kasiguruhan. But Jesus himself said, "Do not fear for I am with you." "Take courage my son I am with you forever."

Mahirap para sakin ang iwan ang aking pamilya para sumunod sa kanya. Ang totoo nyan, ng araw na papunta na ako sa seminaryo, habang ako'y nakatingin sa aking mga gamit na nakaayos na at iniintay na lamang ang sundo na maghahatid sa amin sa semianryo, naramdaman ko na parang sinasabi ng isip ko na wag nalang. Huwag nalang tumuloy. Ng mga oras na iyon, hindi ko alam ang gagawin, pero sinasabi ng puso ko sige tumuloy ka. Siguro kaya nagdadalawang isip ako ng mga panahong iyon ay dahil narin sa mga problemang kinakaharap ko noon. Tumahimik ako pansamantala habang naghihintay at kinalma ang ang aking sarili. Wala akong ibang naririnig kundi ang ang tinig ng mga ibon nang umagang iyon. Naghari ang aking nararamdaman at pinatibay pa ito ng isang tinig na waring nagsabi na, "Tumuloy ka, ako ang bahala sa iyo!" Pagkatapos ng ilang sandaling katahinikan na ibinigay ko sa sarili ko, unti-unti kong dinampot ang aking mg agamit at nagsimulang umalis patungo sa sundo. Ang totoo parang kumikilos ako ng mga panahong iyon na parang wala sa aking isip. At duon nagsimula ang lahat.

That time I was so confused, but I follow the voice I heard, "Tumuloy ka, ako ang bahala sa iyo!"

And how did the Blessed Mother show her faith?
Mary was a simple woman in her time. Yet we see her strong faith not only externally but it's coming from within, within her very own heart. When the Angel Gabriel visited her to announce to her the good news that she would become the mother of the Son of God, though having little doubt in her mind, with great faith she offered and gave her whole self to the plan of God and she gave her "yes" to Him. We know that after that she encountered a lot of challenges, difficulties and sufferings in her life but she still gave her whole self and offered it to whatever God has planned for her and for her son.

Mary teaches us that we too can be used by God to change the world. We learn from her that, Faith positions us to be part of the mystery of Jesus, faith help us do what God says regardless of the cost.

As my tribute to the Blessed Mother, I have made a poem for her and this poem is not just a poem but it became my own personal prayer to her who is my guide and refuge a true mother who raised me up in times of trouble, confusion, persecution and hardship.