Today's Gospel

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ANYTHING BUT THAT

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…” – Matthew 5:44

I was very angry with somebody. No… the word angry is mild. I was livid.

I had a mixture of emotions about something that transpired, and my human instinct told me that I needed to strike back to defend myself. But it was something I knew I didn’t want to do. Instead, I lashed out at another person involved and said all the hurtful words I could say. The sleeping monster inside me awoke.

I carried this anger in my heart for many years. And each time I came across the chosen verse above, I would always cringe. Love my enemies? Pray for those who persecute me?... “Lord! Please make me do anything but that!”

To this day that remains a tall order for me. It is not easy. I prayed for the blessing of time, believing that it heals all wounds, and that in God’s perfect time the anger in my heart will fade.

True enough, the time came. It felt as if a big thorn in my heart was pulled out. Only then did I actually know what it’s like to forgive — the peace of Christ enveloped me and renewed my spirit.

May His peace fill your heart every day. Nova Arias (nova.svp@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

Was there ever a time when you loved your enemy? If you managed to do it once, you can do it over and over again.

Grant me a change of heart, O Lord

This struck me hard as it was so close to what I felt recently. Very similar. And I am very thankful that I have been free from this tragedy. Now, although I may still hold grudge on some people, the feeling is not as bad as it was last year. The cliche goes that, time heals all wounds, and I know it would. God has never given up on me and never left me. Who would've thought I would come to a point where I am deeply humbled by my experiences and it has taught me a lot about myself and others. I continue to pray that I will always be reminded of how lucky I am to have been forgiven and receive forgiveness.

What I have now...

Got a mail regarding a comment in one of my old blogs. So I started to read. I was a really unhappy, depressed, whiny woman! That was 5 years ago. I think I still am, though, but in a mature kinda way (that, I'd like to think!).

I was really sad. I can't help but pity the person I was. I was constantly looking for things from different areas in my life. I only had 1 child then. Maybe the kids brought more "life" to me, more optimism. Come to think of it, I think I have more patience, more time, more humility, more "ground".. I'm more like what I need to be.

I guess it was the pressure. It was the environment, the people around me. Actually, things started to get really bad after that. Then it was okay again. Then bad again. Okay, bad, okay, bad. It's okay now though. And I seriously hope it stays this way. Although there are missing "parts" of me now (hubby being away and all), I still consider this time as one of the "better" days.

See yah.

Satan’s Letter … a memoir of days…

Hey you,

I saw you yesterday as you began your daily chores. You awoke without kneeling to pray. As a matter of fact, you didn’t even bless your meals or pray before going to bed last night. You are so ungrateful. I like that about you. I cannot tell you how glad I am that you have not changed your way of living.

Fool, you are mine. Remember that you and I have been going steady for years and I still don’t love you yet. As a matter of fact, I hate you because I hate God. I am only using you to get even with God. He kicked me out of heaven and I am going to use you as long as possible to pay him back.

You see, Fool, GOD LOVES YOU, and He has great plans in store for you. But you have yielded your life to me, and I’m going to make your life a living hell. That way, we’ll be together twice. This will really hurt God. Thanks to you. I’m really showing Him who’s boss in your life. With all of the good times we’ve had… We have been watching dirty movies, cursing people out, partying, stealing, lying, hypocriting, fornicating, overeating, telling dirty jokes, gossiping, backstabbing people, disrespecting others and those in leadership, NO respect for the Church, bad attitude: SURELY you don’t want to give this all up.

Come on Fool, let’s burn together forever. I’ve got some hot plans for us. This is just a letter of appreciation from me to you. I’d like to say THANKS for letting me use you for most of your foolish life. You are so gullible. I laugh at you. When you are tempted to sin, you give in… HA HA HA, you make me sick.

Sin is beginning to take its toll on your life. You look 20 years older, I need new blood. So go ahead and teach children how to sin. All you have to do is, smoke, drink alcohol, cheat, curse, gamble, gossip, fornicate, and do all things bad. Do all of this in the presence of children and they will do it too. Kids are like that.

Well, Fool, I have to let you go for now. I’ll be back in a couple of seconds to tempt you again. If you were smart, you would run somewhere, confess your sins, live for God with what little bit of life that you have left. It’s not my nature to warn anyone, but to be your age and still sinning, it’s becoming a bit ridiculous. Don’t get me wrong, I still hate you… IT’S JUST THAT YOU’D MAKE A BETTER FOOL FOR CHRIST.

SATAN

P.S. And if you really love me, you won’t share this letter with anyone.

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UST-DWTL Batch 21

Starting Small

I have been a Virtual Assistant for the last 6 years, but took a "leave-of-absence" the past year. I gave birth to my little girl and the hubby asked me to lie-low for a while. As a doting wife and mother, I obliged. No questions asked.

Now that my little girl is getting older and Bigger! I have decided I would like to go back to work again. Freelance this time. I'm starting small by coaching, consulting and some writing. 4 hours a day is probably not bad for this mom.

Lookit my new "flyer"/marketing stuff for The VA Coach :

Sounds good? Spread the love.. please! :)