11 Oct 2025

Through the intercession of Mary, St. Joseph, St. Josemaría Escrivá, and St. Raphael the Archangel, may those discerning the vocation of marriage find their Mary and Joseph, the partners who will lead them closer to Jesus, to the Church, and to the Kingdom of Heaven, embracing marriage and family as a domestic church and a path to holiness.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

He supports me to grow morally and spiritually. He doesn't hinder to things that develop me, and the endeavors I do for my morality and spirituality. Instead, he joins me to cheer me up. He prioritizes God. He leads me by his examples and his way of life.

He develops matured decisions, physical, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. He does not compete with me, but rather, complements with me. Relationship isn't a competition; but a teamwork. Despite our differences in strengths and weaknesses, he may see it as an opportunity to nurture us, not as threats to himself.

I can be safe and secured, confident and comfortable, and be felt accepted regardless of who I was and who I can become.

His reflection on Jesus as an "ambulatory" preacher and healer touched me deeply, as I can relate to and am inspired by Jesus' approach to evangelization. He as well emphasized the beauty of letting go, or as what I used to call it, "the grace of detachment" whether it's a material thing, position, place, or even a person, which I am always working [and struggling] on. Very timely, for these past few months was full of 'hellos' and 'goodbyes' and I had to let go of things I can't control, and hold on to what I ought to have.

Upon reflecting on the Gospel, my initial thought was that there's healing in the laying on of hands and in touching (or venerating) God's image, as long as it's done with faith and trust, and lastly through words of healing. If we notice the Gospel reading, it has 3 different scenarios which was observed by Father. Remember that number 3 is according to the Bible, reserved for God, and represents God.

Jesus healed 3 different people, through 3 different ways, in 3 different places. One was healed through laying on of hands, the second one was through touching His cloak, and third was through His Healing words "Talitha koum" which means "Little girl, I say to you, get up" (I emotionally reminisced YOUCAT International Congress in Iloilo last 2019, cuz the theme was "Young People I Tell You ARISE!, and that inflamed me to be a youth catechist). Inspired by Pope Francis when he called/encouraged the youths during the Year of the Youth to be "Callejeros dela Fe", meaning Street preachers of Faith. So young people, I tell you... RISE UP, GO, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL!

Through the reflections I heard this evening further deepened my understanding, emphasizing Jesus' MISSIONARY aspects and his role as a PILGRIM, which I'm pondering and discerning on with my daily question - WHAT AM I BEING CALLED FOR?

Jesus in the Gospel said to the synagogue official,

"Do not be afraid" (不要还怕, Non abbiate paura).

WHAT AM I BEING AFRAID FOR?

Jesus' answer was "Just have Faith".

This Jubilee Year of Hope, may we be truly Pilgrims of Hope, cultivator of Hope, and an image of Hope as we are all recipients of Hope because only God can produce it, that's why it's called Theological Virtue.

As what St. Paul said,

"Hope does not disappoint [Spes non confundit]" (Romans 5:5)

and

"In Hope we are saved [Spe salvi facti sumus]" (Romans 8:24)