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WHERE NA YOU PO, LORD? #Reflections on Finding God and Being Found!
REYNALD B. ATIENZA
PHILIPPINES
CONTENTS Mensahe Foreword Panimula
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Section 1: The Will of God: The Most Loving Thing to Do! 4 Chapter 1: Guideline #1: Keep Your Focus Fixed on Jesus! Chapter 2: Guideline #2: Allow God to Redirect You to a Higher Purpose!
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Chapter 3: Buti Na Lang: The Grace of Seeking God’s Will 11 Section 2: End-of-the-World Moments in Life
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Chapter 4: God is Always Faithful to His Promises!
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Chapter 5: Jesus Empathizes and Suffers with Us!
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Chapter 6: Happy Ending with God!
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Section 3: Discipleship: The Science of the Cross Chapter 7: Our Crosses in Life Shape Our Character
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Chapter 8: Our Crosses in Life Fill Our Life with so Much Hope
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Chapter 9: Pain Borne with Love is Sacrifice
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Section 4: Spiritual Shrewdness: Becoming Wise for God’s Kingdom!
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Chapter 10: Let Us Be Creative in Seeking God in Our Lives!
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Chapter 11: Let Us Be Creative in Proclaiming God in Our Lives!
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Chapter 12: Yes, You Can!
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Section 5: Sign Seekers: The Sign We Should Ask For!
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Chapter 13: Group #1: Self-Centered Seekers
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Chapter 14: Group #2: God-Oriented Seekers
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Chapter 15: The Sign We Should Ask For!
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Section 6: Finding God sa mga Nag-Trend na Love Songs 50 Chapter 16: Love Song #1: Kathang-Isip and the Reward of Unreciprocated Love
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Chapter 17: Love Song #2: Leaves – A Song of Hope
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Chapter 18: Love Song #3: Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw and St. Thomas Aquinas’ Beatific Vision
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Chapter 19: Love Song #4: December Avenue’s Bulong – God’s Empowering Love
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Chapter 20: Love Song #5: Moira Dela Torre’s Tagu-Taguan and the Gospel of Mercy 66 Section 7: The Language of Love: Lessons Mula sa mga Trending Expressions
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Chapter 21: Trending Expression #1: My SKL and God’s SML
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Chapter 22: Trending Expression #2: #Marupok and the Grace of Being God’s Beloved!
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Chapter 23: Trending Expression #3: Ghosting, Prayer Life, and the Prayer of Jesus 79 Chapter 24: Trending Expression #4: Sana All List and the Virtue of Grattitude
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Chapter 25: Trending Expression #5: Where is My (Oppa) Appa?
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Section 8: Ang Bida ng Buhay Ko: Godly Themes in Romantic Movies
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Chapter 26: Movie #1: Hello, Love, Goodbye – The Positive Side of the Word “Desperado”
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Chapter 27: Movie #2: Sid and Aya (Not a Love Story) and Relational Investment
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Chapter 28: Movie #3: The Day After Valentines: Lessons from the Wounds of Jesus
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Chapter 29: Movie #4: Cathy Molina, The Hows of Us, and Covenantal Love
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Section 9: Jesus in the Eucharist: Our Spiritual Nourishment
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Chapter 30: The Eucharist Helps Us to Go Forward in Life Through Faith
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Chapter 31: The Eucharist Enables Us to Grow in Virtues!
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Chapter 32: The Eucharist Aids Us to Glow for Eternity! 122 Chapter 33: Extra Tip: Do Not Attend the Mass!
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Section 10: Mary Kept Everything in Her Heart: Life Lessons from Photographs
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Chapter 34: Lesson #1: Photographs Bridge Relationships 129 Chapter 35: Lesson #2: Cherish Relationships, Move Forward and Receive Healing
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Chapter 36: Lesson #3: Something Better is Yet to Come 134 Chapter 37: Our Song and Prayer
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Pangwakas
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Pasasalamat
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DIOCESE OF SAN PABLO Diocesan shrine of san vicente ferrer Brgy. Mamatid, City of Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines
MENSAHE Pagbati at pasasalamat ang nais kong iparating kay Rev. Fr. Reynald Atienza sa isa na namang napakagandang aklat na puno ng karunungan at inspirasyon mula sa Diyos na nagmamahal. Sa gitna ng pandemia at krisis na ating pinagdadaanan, tunay na kailangan nating makita ang pagkilos ng Diyos sa ating buhay. Sa aklat na ito, makakakita tayo ng inspirasyon kung paanong ang Diyos ay kumikilos sa pang-araw araw nating karanasan. Hindi nagkukulang ng pag-ibig ang Diyos, subalit minsan, tayo ang nagkukulang sa pagtuklas sa paggalaw at pag-ibig ng Panginoon na kanyang ipinapadama sa iba’t iba at ordinaryong pamamaraan. By reading this book, we can all be inspired to see that God, full of love and compassion, is always at work in and with us. It echoes the encouragement of the book of Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” This book can truly affect one’s disposition in life to be hopeful and confident in God especially in the midst of life’s adversities. Together, we share in the same vision of glorifying God by seeing His greatness and goodness in us; His very gift of presence working through us. Pagpalain ka ng Diyos Fr. Enald sa iyong pagbabahagi ng inspirayon na nagmumula sa iyong panalangin at pagninilay tungkol pagkilos at pag-ibig ng Diyos.
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The Roman Catholic Bishop Diocese of Daet
FOREWORD I gladly welcome the publication of Fr. Reynald Atienza’s book titled: “WHERE NA YOU PO, LORD?, #Reflections on Finding God and Being Found!” This book invites young people to a conversation through a series of reflections on different life-situations, enriched by personal experiences and stories expressed in the language of the young. Seeing the great challenges we all face, the young especially need spiritual guidance and advice. Fr. Enald’s book is an answer to this need. The reflections he offers are an aid to young people as they strive to seek God and to make sense of the things happening around them in the face of the different crises brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. The efforts of Fr. Enald is a response to the call of Pope Francis for greater discernment. Pope Francis says: “Discernment even though it includes reason and prudence, goes beyond them, for it seeks a glimpse of that unique and mysterious plan that God has for each of us.” (Christus Vivit #280) With these reflections, we may add: ‘Discernment is also about finding God and allowing God to find us.’ Indeed, discernment is more than just using reason and prudence – it is an encounter with God and his mysterious plan for each of us. vii
This book is also a timely contribution to New Evangelization as we celebrate the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines. One will note that in these reflections Fr. Enald speaks the language of the young. The New Evangelization asks us to seek new ways and means of bringing God’s message to the youth and to meet them where they are. The mission continues as we find ourselves in a highly secularized context. There are new missionary challenges. And with the Covid-19 pandemic, we realize how we need the strength and the contribution of our youth. We need young missionary disciples! We affirm what Pope Francis says about the Youth as being the ‘now of God’: “We cannot just say that young people are the future of our world. They are its present; even now, they are helping to enrich it. Young people are no longer children. They are at a time of life when they begin to assume a number of responsibilities, sharing alongside adults in the growth of the family, society and the Church.” (Cf. Christus Vivit #64). I pray that as you go through the pages of this book, you may experience a spark of hope and of God’s presence in your life. In God we find newness, youthfulness, optimism and fulfillment. Thank you and Congratulations Fr. Enald! God bless you and the work that you do for our young people. +Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D. Bishop of Daet Chair, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth
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PANIMULA
H
ello Bes! O, ‘wag kang malito ha?! Hindi na ‘to part ng “Bes Trilogy!” He, he! Nasanay lang talaga akong tawagin kang “Bes”! But anyway, welcome nga pala sa bagong libro na ito. Grabe, na-miss kita! Lagpas 1 year na kasi ang lumipas bago nailabas ang new book na ito. But I just want to tell you that I am so happy to talk with you again. So how shall we start? Para mas maintindihan mo ang gusto kong puntuhin, allow me to share with you two brief stories: Ang una ay kwento galing sa kaklase ko dati sa seminary. Namasyal ang buong family nila sa isang Mall sa Maynila. At habang naggagala sila, napansin nilang nawawala ang bunso nilang kapatid. Takot na takot sila kasi baka kung ano nang nangyari sa kanya. Ilang oras na silang naghahanap nang marinig nila sa paging system ng gusali, “Paging Formeloza Family… Paging Formeloza Family... Please proceed to the Information Desk.” Nagmamadali silang nagpunta roon at laking tuwa nang makita nila si Bunso na naghihintay sa kanila. Ang sabi ng gwardya, “Ay Ma’am, Sir, kayo po ba ang parents ng batang ito? Kanina po kasi, pumunta siya rito at nag-report na nawawala raw kayo!” Nagtinginan ang mga magkakapamilya at sabay-sabay nagtawanan nang malakas! Ang ikalawang kwento ay ito. Noong 30-day retreat namin sa Bukidnon, isa sa naging matters for prayer namin ay ang “The Good Shepherd.” Ang sabi ng aming Spiritual Director pumasok 1
Panimula
daw kami sa mismong kwento bilang isang character doon sa Gospel. Sa prayer ko, nakita ko ang aking sarili bilang isang batang tupa na nalaglag sa isang patibong. Hindi ako makaalis; takot na takot. Nahahabag na ako sa sarili ko kasi hindi man lang ako hinahanap ng aking Pastol. “Where na You po, Lord?” Ang tagal kong naghihintay. Inabot ako ng dilim. Nakatulog na ako nang may naramdaman akong bumubuhat sa akin. Kinalong Niya ako at ipinasan sa Kanyang balikat – Ang Mabuting Pastol pala ang kumalong sa akin! Akala ko, pinabayaan na Niya ako. ‘Yun pala, maghapon Siyang naghahanap sa akin! Sa tingin ko, medyo clear na ‘yung point ko through these two wonderful illustrations. Kapatid, ‘yung tanong na “Where na You po, Lord?” ay tanong ng marami sa atin, most especially, when life seems to be not going well. Kapag sobrang daming trials na pinagdaraanan, kapag naliligaw ka, napapatanong ka, “Asan Ka na po, Lord?” “Lord, hindi ko po maintindihan ang mga nangyayari sa buhay ko, where na You po?” At kung papaanong tini-text mo ang isang taong malapit sa ’yo, “Where na you? Dito na me!” ‘pag hinahanap mo siya at kapag naghihintay ka sa kanya, it’s the same thing with the Lord everytime you ask, “Where na You po, Lord?” Ito’y panalangin ng paghahanap natin sa Diyos, pag-iintay ng kasagutan mula sa Kanya. But the good news is that God is always searching for us! Hindi ka Niya pinabayaan; ‘di ka nawaglit sa isipan Niya; lagi ka Niyang hinahanap sa tuwing nagtatago ka, sa mga oras na akala mo Siya ‘yung nawawala. Sa paghahanap mo sa Diyos sa buhay mo, walang sawa rin siyang naghahanap sa ‘yo. Ka-touched 2
where na you po, Lord?
‘no? Nawa, tumungo ito sa isang mas malalim na pagtitiwala at pagmamahal para kay God! Allow God to seek you in moments of great sadness, moments of spiritual dryness and dark nights. To seek God demands our effort, but never forget that it is primarily a gift. After all, ang sabi ni Lord, “No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me” ( Jn 6:44). Si Lord ang tunay na nag-effort para matagpuan tayo. Buti na lang din, sa puso ng tao, inilagay ni God ‘yung divine restlessness – that our hearts will always be restless until they rest in God! (cf. St. Augustine) And this is the reason why you can find “sparks of light and love” even in your darkest moments, “sparks of truth” sa mga magagandang movies at librong nababasa mo, “sparks of hope” sa mga songs na napapakinggan mo, “sparks of faith” sa mga trending expressions. At kapag nagamit ito nang tama, they can serve as lamps leading you to God whom your heart longs for. You only have to be keen in searching for Him in them; you only have to discern God’s presence in them. Ito ‘yung tatakbuhin ng mga pagninilay sa librong ito. They are all reflections on finding God and being found by Him. My hope and prayer is that through this book, you may have the zeal to seek God all the more in your life and allow yourself to be found by Him so as to experience always His loving embrace. Enjoy your reading!
In Christ, Enald Atienza
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Section 7
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE:
LESSONS MULA SA MGA TRENDING EXPRESSIONS Let us promote language of loveiswhich is the “Whatever is the true, whatever honorable, very language of God. whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil 4:8) Let us promote the language of love which is the very language of God.
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arami sa atin ngayon, lalo na sa mga kabataan, ang maraming alam na mga languages. May ilan, magaling sa English, ‘yung iba naman sa French, German, Spanish. May mga youth din na nag-aaral ng Nihongo para mas maintindihan ‘yung binabasa nilang Manga anime. ‘Yung iba naman, todo sa pag-unawa ng Korean language gawa ng mga pinapanood nilang Korean telenovelas and K-Pop music. At dahil ang dami nating alam na languages, kapag pinakinggan mo ‘yung mga trending na mga “expressions” ngayon sa mga kabataan, halu-halo na rin. Nakakatuwa nga minsan ‘yung mga nauusong words and phrases eh: “Oppa!
Turn Right after 0.5 Miles 3 hrs. - 3 Miles
where na you po, Lord?
Okie ka-ayow!” “Advance Mag-Isip!” “Sana All, Sana Oil” “Share Ko Lang…” “#Marupok!” Well, wala namang problem doon, syempre. Maganda lang sigurong pagnilayan at usisain ang sarili na baka expert and fluent tayo in terms of languages, pero mahina naman when it comes to the “language of love, forgiveness, gratitude, appreciation, and concern.” Nakakalungkot ngang isipin ‘yung paglaganap ng “language of hatred,” ‘yung bashing, dissing, at cyber bullying. ‘Yung tipong hindi mo nga sinasaktan physically pero grabe, tagos sa puso, parang kutsilyong itinarak sa tindi ng mga salitang makapanirang-puri at nakakapagpababa ng dangal, mga panlalait, at iba pa. But, of course, there is still and will always be hope. At magandang simulan natin ito sa ating mga sarili. Let us promote the language of love which is the very language of God. God is love (cf. 1 Jn 4:16) and we have encountered God’s Word among us – Minahal tayo ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Hesus – The Word of God made flesh (cf. Jn 1:14)! Sa section na ito, allow me to share with you, at least, 5 trending expressions, reflect on them in the light of God’s Word, and relate them to our faith and daily life. Enjoy!
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chapter 21
TRENDING EXPRESSION #1: MY SKL AND GOD’S SML
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amilyar ka rin ba sa ekpresyon na ito – SKL? It means “share ko lang!” Ginagamit ‘to kapag ayaw mong ma-bash ‘yung opinion mo kaya inuunahan mo na ‘yung kausap mo, “Share ko lang…” O kaya naman, kapag nagbato ka ng points for discussion kaso mukhang hindi napansin kasi tulala silang lahat, “share ko lang naman…” At panghuli, kapag nag-joke ka kaso hindi bumenta o hindi lang talaga nila na-gets kasi either nagba-bufferring pa mga kausap mo or na-labelled ka na nilang corny, ayan, sasabihin mong, “Share ko lang…” Minsan, narinig ko ‘yang SKL kay Fr. EJ, kaso may iba na raw definition ang mga kabataan ngayon. Hindi na “share ko lang” kundi “Sobrang Kirot Lord!” Kapag daw nakikipag-usap ka kay Lord, sharing to Him all your pains and aches, tell Him, “SKL – Sobrang Kirot Lord.” And I realized, ang ganda ng point! Kapag nakikipag-usap ka kay Lord, para bang nakikipag-usap ka lang sa taong mahal mo, sa magulang mo, sa mga close sa ’yo. And actually, that is what prayer really is! It is our way of establishing an intimate relationship with God. When we pray, we do not relate with God as an employee talks to his/her boss, not as a slave to his/her master. NO, WHEN WE PRAY, WE TALK 72
where na you po, Lord?
TO GOD AS A CHILD LOVINGLY TALKS TO HIS/HER FATHER. The goal of prayer, then, is to draw us closer to God, our Father! Share Mo Lang! ‘Wag kang mag-alala, sa bawat “Sobrang Kirot Lord” prayers mo, ang laging tugon ni God, “SML – Share Mo Lang… nakikinig Ako… nakikita kita…” Ang ganda ng definition of prayer ni St. John Mary Vianney, “Prayer means laying bare one’s self before God.” It means believing and trusting that even if you don’t see Him, He sees and loves you with so great a love! To lay bare one’s self before God means to TAKE OFF ALL OUR MASKS, ALL OUR PRETENSIONS! Minsan kasi, masyado na tayong nasanay magsuot ng maskara kapag nakikipag-relate sa iba kaya kahit sa prayer nadadala natin ‘yung ganoong attitude sa harap ng Diyos. Sugatan na ang puso, magkukunwari pa ring “okay” siya… Depressed and stressed na, ang ipinapakita pa rin ay “maayos” siya… The world today is so expert in wearing masks! But you can’t wear a mask before God; you can’t pretend before Him BECAUSE HE SEES RIGHT THROUGH YOUR HEART! He sees your pains, your hurts. He is not deaf to your rants. Alam na alam ni Lord ‘yung mga pagkakataong gusto mong maging mabuting tao kaso paulit-ulit kang bumabagsak sa parehong kasalanan at kahinaan. Aware si Lord sa mga moments sa buhay mo kung papaanong ‘yung mismong luha mo na ang 73
Trending Expression #1: My SKL And God’s SML
nagsisilbing panalangin mo kay God kasi kahit isang salita, hindi mo na mabanggit sa tindi ng emosyong pinagdaraanan mo. Kapatid, ayos lang umiyak sa harapan ni Lord lalo na sa harapan ng Blessed Sacrament; ayos lang sabihin mong napapagod ka na sa maraming bagay – na natatakot ka sa sakit mo ngayon, na natatakot kang mawala ‘yung taong mahal mo, na sobrang tindi ng problemang kinakaharap mo ngayon. Share them all to God. Don’t pretend to be strong. Admit that you are weak. At ‘wag kang mag-alala, the more you open up yourself before God, the more you will experience the warmth of His love, the more you will feel His tight and healing embrace. Kapatid, share mo lang ‘yung mga “SKL moments” mo kay God, nakikinig Siya.
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