Testimony

from The Filipino Press: June 9-15, 2023

Spiritual Life

To us who are limited by time, seventy or eighty years appear to be a vast stretch of time, but to God, a thousand years is scarcely any time at all. For a thousand years in God’s sight are but as yesterday. Time has no relation to God; it does not affect him: “ For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night” (Psalm 90:4). The psalmist said that to God a thousand years is like one day, like a watch of the night, a mere four hours. A thousand years or a day is all the same to God.

In God’s time our lives last from morning into evening, the psalmist prayed: “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad as long as we live” (Psalm 90:14). By learning to rightly count the days of his life, the psalmist was asking God to enable him to take to heart the lessons which the brevity of life should teach him.

Since the school of life teaches us that life is ephemeral, we must then learn how to seek that which is eternal. We do not know whether our days will be few or many. So brief is human life that not everyone will enjoy the blessings of old age, because death can come suddenly and our lives be removed in the middle of our blossoming years, before our flower withers.

Our education in the school of life prepares us to recognize that life is a precious gift of God. So, as you celebrate your birthday today, you must remember that the sun is setting and the evening of your life is fast approaching.

For those who have faith in their Creator, the setting of the sun will not lead them into a dark and fearful night, but into a glorious morning, into another day that will have no end. But in order for them to rightly number their days that they might become wiser, they must remember the one who created them:

“Remember your creator while you are young, before the evil days come, and the years approach when you will say, ‘They no longer give me pleasure’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

In order to gain a wise heart, we need God’s teaching, for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). God alone can teach us the real meaning of life and the lasting values that can lead us to abundant living.

When we number our days, we realize the brevity of life, that we must give our attention to matters that last, to eternal things. Life is short and since life is short, it should be wisely spent. We do not have enough time to dissipate our precious life in things that do not last nor are we sure that we have enough days in our lives that we may postpone the times of our decision. When we gain wisdom, we discover what are the most important things in life. The Bible teaches us that the wisdom that leads to abundant living comes from God.

Happy Birthday.

Claude Mariottini Professor of Old Testament Northern Baptist Seminary

After celebrating the feast of the Almighty God whom we profess as One and Triune, today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, commonly known as Corpus Christi. If the mystery of the Trinity is one that transcends human understanding, the mystery of the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist in the form of bread and wine is another that cannot easily be accepted. Nevertheless, this is the reality that all the four gospels narrate that Jesus himself mentioned, namely, He is the “Bread of Life” that came down from heaven. Only in eating this bread which is his own body and drinking the wine which turns to be his blood can one gain eternal life. Indeed, it is a real mystery laden with God’s love for humanity and humanity’s desire for participation in the life of the divine. This springs real hope for eternity. Reflection on this mystery would not be enough in the framework of a homily on the day of this wonderful feast, but allow me to simply share some points for us to remember during this feast. The first that comes to my mind is the tremendous greatness of God’s love for humanity. He did not only send his only Son Jesus who gave his life on the for humanity in filial trust and obedience to his Father, but he continues to remain in the midst of humanity for no other reason but to keep this love of the Father alive in the hearts and minds of humanity. Jesus remains true and really present in the world in spite of the fact that He has already ascended back to his heavenly abode in the sacramental forms of the bread and wine that he left behind as a memorial of his saving actions, words and life while on earth. Isn’t this real love for man who remains oftentimes deaf to his words and insensitive to his presence if not doubtful of his existence? However, He continues to be faithful to his promises that he would not abandon man and only when man would believe in Him and receive Him in faith and devotion would man truly see and understand how wonderful is God’s love, for and in return how he can truly love others in the manner that Jesus himself has loved humanity.

The second reality is the fact that the faith in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist which is lasting sign of his love for man is the foundation of all the activities that man could ever do in responding to Jesus and his call to follow him. When we come to believe in the presence of Jesus in our midst as an act of his perpetual love for us, then we reciprocate to his love by loving Him in return and loving other neighbors who are visible in our lives. This is truly the beginning of becoming a community of disciples which come together because of the love for Jesus and the love for others. In the Encyclical letter of Blessed John Paul II entitled “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” he clearly mentioned that the Church is founded on the Eucharist itself and the Eucharist is truly the foundation on which his disciples come together to be nourished, sustained and have to strength to carry on his original mission of bringing the good news to people. to flourish,” she told Marcos.

The third reality that I wish to share is the fact that our sharing in the mission of Jesus can only happen and be effectively successful when it is based on the mystery of the Eucharist. As we pray for new and intensive evangelization in the world today, faith in the mystery of the Eucharist is once more being called for. For this reason I believe that we must examine ourselves today how deep is our faith in Jesus and his real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Our catechism tells us that He really, truly and sacramentally present in the Bread and Wine that we see consecrated at mass and reserved in the Blessed Sacrament. How does this faith in his real presence influence our daily lives, as members of a Catholic family, as members of a parish community, as Catholic workers in the midst of a world that is no longer open to believe in the existence of God? The feast of Corpus Christi should be an occasion for us to renew commitment to love Jesus and do his new commandment of love for others now and forever.

Sa ating paglalakbay sa pansamantala nating buhay Lahat ay makakaranas ng tukso na sa akala natin maganda ang alay Atin usisain at intindihain ang tunay na pakay Maiwasan ang pagsisisi ang tukso ay talikuaran at iwalay.

A friend is a sky-diving, mountain-climbing, hang-gliding thrill-seeker, but in the cave he felt sheer panic. He was terrified. He tried fighting his fear, but he kept picturing his dead body moldering in the cave. Finally, he told his guide he was about to lose it, and the guide said, "Hey, close your eyes and listen to my voice. I will keep talking, calmly, and guide you through this. We will be okay. I have been here before. I will get you to the other side. But you must listen to my voice. It will not work for you to let your thoughts run wild. Just focus on my voice." He did so. What freed him from panic and fear was not trying hard to quit thinking fearful thoughts. It was listening to another voice.

What voice do you listen to when you're in the cave and it's dark, when the ceiling is low and you can't back out? The Spirit longs to flow in our minds all the time. One reason why people have found memorizing Scripture helpful is that it helps us listen to the voice of our guide when we are in the cave. We set our minds on those thoughts that equip us for life. God does not want us to live in worry or fear. He wants us to live with bold confidence in his power. "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and selfdiscipline."

“So, we are extremely happy at the state of our relationship and my brief stay here is really to continue to bolster the trade and investment as you mentioned including in emerging areas and to look for other areas of cooperation. We want to

Danny Hernaez From Whom All Blessings

In the Bible, we see a pattern in which God rarely sends people into situations where their comfort level is high. Rather He promises to be with them in their fear. It is God's presence - not comfortable circumstances - that brings people to the best version of themselves.

Paul said that when we live in the flow of the Spirit, he does not make us timid, but instead gives us power and love. This is not the only place in the Bible where we see a close connection between receiving love and living in power. The apostle John makes the same association in one of the most famous statements in the Bible: "There is no fear in love... perfect love casts out fear."

When we live in the flow of the Spirit, we let the perfect love of God wash over us until our fear begins to leave. Modern science has confirmed what John wrote so many centuries ago. Love and fear are literally incompatible in our bodies. God wants to love you - be partners. We are invested in the Philippines,” she added. Marcos also noted that the two countries, as co-founders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are partners in advancing key issues in regional and international fora amid the "shifting winds of geopolitics and great power rivalries."

Before presenting her credentials and in loving you, to cast out your fear.

Jesus was facing adversity when he told his followers that if they had faith, they could command a mountain and it would be cast into the sea. When my focus is on the mountain, I am driven by my fear. When my focus is on God, however, I am made alive by my faith. But if I did not have the mountain, I would not know that faith could be in me.

Use your imagination to picture being shepherded by the Lord in green pastures beside still waters. Is there any room for fear?

God knows that you can stand that trial; He would not give it to you if you could not. It is His trust in you that explains the trials of life, however bitter they may be. God knows our strength, and He measures it to the last inch; and a trial was never given to any man that was greater than that man's strength, through God, to bear it.

<(((>< to Marcos, Yuan was accorded arrival honors and signed the Palace guestbook.

Diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Singapore were established in 1969.

The two countries will celebrate their 55th anniversary in 2024.

Outgoing Czech Republic envoy's farewell call Meantime, outgoing Czech

Ang tukso ay isang pangakit sa kasalanan Nangangako ng kaligayahan sa paraang labag sa katotohanan Mga bagay-bagay na makakamtan handog ng kamunduhan Hindi nasasangayon sa mga Dakilang Kautusan.

Hindi lubos na batid ng magnanakaw na ang kanyang ginagawa ay masama Tanging laman ng isip ay siya ay magkakaroon ng pera

Ang babaeng nagpapalaglag ng anak sa sinapupunan Hindi pa tao ang turing, maari pang alisin at tuloy mawala ang ala-ala ng isang di-magandang pagsasama. Alam na alam ng Diyablo ang ating kahinaan dahil sa ating pagkatao Pati ang ating Panginoon noong Siya ay nagkatawang tao Siya inalok ng Kayamanan, Kapangyarihan at Kadakilaang dulot ng Kamunduhan Lahat ng mga ito ay Kanyang tinangihan, harinawa tayo din naman.

Dalawang bagay lamang ang mangyayari sa tuwing tayo ay tinutukso Kapag ang alok ng tukso ay ating mapaglabanan Lalong tumitibay ang ating buhay sa Pagmamahal,

Pagasa at Pananampalataya Kapag naman tayo ay tinalo ng Tukso Dulot ay isang buhay na masalimuot at magulo. Tayo ay magpakumbaba at taimtim nating hingin sa Panginoon Pagkalooban tayo ng karagdagang lakas at dunong Labanan natin ang anumang tukso na magiging hadlang Sa ating hangarin na makaabot sa Kanyang Kaharian.

Republic Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Sediva paid a farewell call to Marcos, based on a video uploaded on the official Facebook page of state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM).

Sediva concluded her diplomatic posting to the country after three years. One of her recent activities before her diplomatic work ended was the launching of a book titled "Kaibigan

– Pratele: Czech – Philippine Cultural and Diplomatic Dialogue", a collaboration among Czech and Filipino writers and scholars.

The book commemorates the long-standing friendship and relives the shared history between the two countries.

The Philippines and Czech Republic will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this October. (MNS)

Marissa Banez

Continued from page 1 international firm, an award-winning children’s author and, hopefully, a soon-to-be playwright. Her second book, Hues And Harmony (How the Rainbow Butterfly Got Her Colors), which deals with multiraciality, belonging, and, ultimately, love, will be published by Black Rose Writing on July 20, 2023. Visit www. marissabanez.com to learn more.

Editor's Note: On June 24-25, 2023, multicultural children's book author Marissa Banez, will be in San Diego for a Reading and Signing events as presented by Filipino Press. Refer to page 3 of the paper for details. Event is Free must you must pre-register at susands4@ yahoo.com or call/text (619)7550755 for more information. On July 22, 2023, Marissa Banez will be conducting a reading and signing events with 3 different kids's groups for a program with the Philippine Consulate in New York . For more info, connect with Ms. Banez at www.marissabanez.com

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