February 2015
Thursday #124
February 26, 2015
Are we ready to let go and let God?
This Lent, we are once again challenged to reflect on the true meaning of the season. And one of the recurring themes is self-surrender.
Self-surrender seems easy but in reality, it is hard to do. In this tempting world, we are inundated with selfishness, pride, fear, envy, among other things. Yet God wants us to do only one thing: follow His ways.
We invite you to listen to this song, “These Alone Are Enough,” by Dan Schutte. The song takes from the popular Ignatian prayer, Suscipe (Take and Receive). The song speaks of lifting up to the Lord all that we are, and receiving only His love and grace, which suffices. As you listen and pray, speak to the Lord about how to let go and let him to truly be God in your life.
May this song encourage you to let go and let God and prepare you toward a meaningful Lenten and Easter Season.
Many thanks to fromwithintheheart for the video and to Em Alcantara for the reflection!
Are we ready to let go and let God?
This Lent, we are once again challenged to reflect on the true meaning of the season. And one of the recurring themes is self-surrender.
Self-surrender seems easy but in reality, it is hard to do. In this tempting world, we are inundated with selfishness, pride, fear, envy, among other things. Yet God wants us to do only one thing: follow His ways.
We invite you to listen to this song, “These Alone Are Enough,” by Dan Schutte. The song takes from the popular Ignatian prayer, Suscipe (Take and Receive). The song speaks of lifting up to the Lord all that we are, and receiving only His love and grace, which suffices. As you listen and pray, speak to the Lord about how to let go and let him to truly be God in your life.
May this song encourage you to let go and let God and prepare you toward a meaningful Lenten and Easter Season.
Many thanks to fromwithintheheart for the video and to Em Alcantara for the reflection!
Sunday Psalm #129
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February 22, 2015
I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living 2nd Sunday of Lent (B) March 1, 2015 Our Sunday Psalm compositions in English for next week are by Tinnah M. dela Rosa and Migs Miguel who also composed our Filipino psalm. Psalm 116 was a psalm of thanksgiving sung to God after being delivered from death: "I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living". We sing this psalm knowing that what God desires for us is life, not death. We sing this psalm also knowing that to receive the fuller life God wishes for us, we must pass through whatever dying to self comes from listening to the call of God (first reading) and the voice of Jesus (gospel). To "walk before the Lord, in the land of the living" (psalm refrain) does not mean that you will never face death. On the contrary, the readings and gospel tell you just the opposite. Ask God this week for the grace you need to sing this psalm with the courage and the confidence it requires. (Cf. Living Liturgy 2012, p. 71) Please click the picture or the highlighted link to download the high resolution PDF files of our composers. Go to the readings in EnglishEnglish for next Sunday (March 1, 2015) English via the US Conference for Catholic Bishopsnk to download the high resolution PDF files of our composers. Go to the readings for next Sunday (February 15, 2015) in English via the US Conference for Catholic Bishops.Please click the picture or the highlighted link to download the high resolution PDF files of our composers. Go to the readings for next Sunday (March 1, 2015) in English via the US Conference for Catholic Bishops. or in Filipino via the Word & Life Publications. |
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Thursday Music #123
February 19, 2015
Have you ever experienced being forgiven and accepted by someone you have offended or hurt seriously?
When forgiveness is granted by someone we have hurt even though we did not seek his/her forgiveness, we tend to focus on what we feel and how we are. And often times, the feeling of unworthiness and embarrassment fills us. We can speculate that the younger son in the story of the Prodigal Son probably had such feelings of unworthiness upon being met by his father. But to dwell on the son's feelings alone is missing the point.
It is the father in the story of the Prodigal Son who ran towards his son to welcome him back into his home. It is the father who initiated the welcome. It is he who embraced his younger son back into his life. This act of forgiveness and acceptance is how God treats us when we come back to Him. He always runs to us, ready to forgive, ready to welcome, and ready to love us as always.
As we begin our Lenten journey, we will hear God's constant invitation to come back home to Him. As you listen to the song, "When God Ran" by Phillips, Craig and Dean, may you welcome the Lord as he runs to you to embrace you back into His love and life.
Many thanks to Oliver James Wong for the video!
Have you ever experienced being forgiven and accepted by someone you have offended or hurt seriously?
When forgiveness is granted by someone we have hurt even though we did not seek his/her forgiveness, we tend to focus on what we feel and how we are. And often times, the feeling of unworthiness and embarrassment fills us. We can speculate that the younger son in the story of the Prodigal Son probably had such feelings of unworthiness upon being met by his father. But to dwell on the son's feelings alone is missing the point.
It is the father in the story of the Prodigal Son who ran towards his son to welcome him back into his home. It is the father who initiated the welcome. It is he who embraced his younger son back into his life. This act of forgiveness and acceptance is how God treats us when we come back to Him. He always runs to us, ready to forgive, ready to welcome, and ready to love us as always.
As we begin our Lenten journey, we will hear God's constant invitation to come back home to Him. As you listen to the song, "When God Ran" by Phillips, Craig and Dean, may you welcome the Lord as he runs to you to embrace you back into His love and life.
Many thanks to Oliver James Wong for the video!
Sunday Psalm #128
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February 15, 2015
Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth 1st Sunday of Lent (B) February 22, 2015 Our Sunday Psalm composition in English for next week is by Tinnah M. dela Rosa. Lent is a "time of fulfillment" (gospel) during which we are called to renew our covenant relationship with God. Psalm 25 is our prayer that we might give ourselves over to this purpose of Lent. In the psalm we ask God to teach us the ways of the covenant and to guide us in truth. We ask God to remember us with compassion and kindness and to offer us gentle correction and steady guidance. In this responsorial psalm you reflect on the meaning of the covenant and ask to be led toward more faithful observance of its ways. How is God calling you this Lent to deepen your living of the covenant? How will you, like Jesus in the desert, struggle with this call? Who or what will help you say yes? (Cf. Living Liturgy 2012, p. 67) Please click the picture or the highlighted link to download the high resolution PDF files of our composers. Go to the readings for next Sunday (February 22, 2015) in English via the US Conference for Catholic Bishops. |
Thursday Music #122
February 12, 2014
What comes to your mind when you see or hear something beautiful?
We are surrounded by so much beauty in this world. There is the "twinkling stars that dance like fireflies", "the blushing fruit that hangs upon the vine", and "the face of a baby as he forms his first smile." We also hear the "whisper of the wind's soft lullaby", "the laughter and the roar of the rushing tide" and the "song of the sparrow as he takes his first flight". Such beauty is wonderful to behold. Do you see the Lord in these?
But within our midst is also much pain, desperation and sadness. We are amongst the nameless and forgotten, the hungry and the homeless. Do you also see the Lord in them?
As you listen to "Love Song for Number 1" by Corrine May, we invite you to pray about the beauty as well as the misery that often faces you. As the Lord for the grace to see his face, to hear his voice in all that you see and hear. As our world is abuzz now with the preparation of the day of hearts or Valentines' Day, may you learn in these coming days to find love not merely in the people you already love but also in the world that is thirsty for the love that only you may be able to fill.
Have a love-filled day! Many thanks to horneth88 for the video! You may find the lyrics of this here.
What comes to your mind when you see or hear something beautiful?
We are surrounded by so much beauty in this world. There is the "twinkling stars that dance like fireflies", "the blushing fruit that hangs upon the vine", and "the face of a baby as he forms his first smile." We also hear the "whisper of the wind's soft lullaby", "the laughter and the roar of the rushing tide" and the "song of the sparrow as he takes his first flight". Such beauty is wonderful to behold. Do you see the Lord in these?
But within our midst is also much pain, desperation and sadness. We are amongst the nameless and forgotten, the hungry and the homeless. Do you also see the Lord in them?
As you listen to "Love Song for Number 1" by Corrine May, we invite you to pray about the beauty as well as the misery that often faces you. As the Lord for the grace to see his face, to hear his voice in all that you see and hear. As our world is abuzz now with the preparation of the day of hearts or Valentines' Day, may you learn in these coming days to find love not merely in the people you already love but also in the world that is thirsty for the love that only you may be able to fill.
Have a love-filled day! Many thanks to horneth88 for the video! You may find the lyrics of this here.
Sunday Psalm #127
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February 8, 2015
I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) February 15, 2015 Our Sunday Psalm composition in English for next week is by Tinnah M. dela Rosa. To prepare to sing this psalm, reflect on a time when you experienced alienation from God and others. What caused this rift? Who or what helped you turn to God for healing? What did you learn from this experience about the mercy of God? How can you tell this story in your singing of this psalm? (Cf. Living Liturgy 2012, p. 55) Please click the picture or the highlighted link to download the high resolution PDF files of our composers. Go to the readings for next Sunday (February 15, 2015) in English via the US Conference for Catholic Bishops. |
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Thursday Music #121
February 5, 2015
Have you ever asked the question, "Why, God?"
The past months have been challenging for us here in the Philippines. This video shows various footage from the Zamboanga siege last September 2014, the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November 2014, the Bohol earthquake in October 2013, the video of the young girl asking Pope Francis why God allows bad things to happen to little children like her, and the most recent one, the Fallen 44 Special Action Force commandos who perished in Maguindanao while pursuing terrorists.
Sometimes we ask, “Why, God?” – why do these things happen to us? We are a prayerful people. We have a special closeness and relationship with God. Yet, we have these “difficult experiences”.
During his Mass at Tacloban, Pope Francis said that even he does not know the answer to our questions, “Why, God?” But he is sure that Christ crucified has answers for us. Jesus suffered with us. He does not let us down. He does not let us suffer alone. As the words of the song based on Isaiah 43 says, “Huwag kang mangamba, ‘di ka nag-iisa”— we are never alone. God journeys with us.
Let the song soothe you as you pray to the Lord. Though you may be undergoing very personal trials right now, always remember that God is there for us. The Lord is with us. God suffers with us.
Many thanks to Jaymee Duran for the video and the reflection! Have a blessed Thursday!
Have you ever asked the question, "Why, God?"
The past months have been challenging for us here in the Philippines. This video shows various footage from the Zamboanga siege last September 2014, the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November 2014, the Bohol earthquake in October 2013, the video of the young girl asking Pope Francis why God allows bad things to happen to little children like her, and the most recent one, the Fallen 44 Special Action Force commandos who perished in Maguindanao while pursuing terrorists.
Sometimes we ask, “Why, God?” – why do these things happen to us? We are a prayerful people. We have a special closeness and relationship with God. Yet, we have these “difficult experiences”.
During his Mass at Tacloban, Pope Francis said that even he does not know the answer to our questions, “Why, God?” But he is sure that Christ crucified has answers for us. Jesus suffered with us. He does not let us down. He does not let us suffer alone. As the words of the song based on Isaiah 43 says, “Huwag kang mangamba, ‘di ka nag-iisa”— we are never alone. God journeys with us.
Let the song soothe you as you pray to the Lord. Though you may be undergoing very personal trials right now, always remember that God is there for us. The Lord is with us. God suffers with us.
Many thanks to Jaymee Duran for the video and the reflection! Have a blessed Thursday!
Sunday Psalm #126
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February 1, 2015
Praise the Lord who heals the brokenhearted Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) February 8, 2015 Our Sunday Psalm composition in English for next week are compositions by Tinnah M. dela Rosa and Joey delos Santos Joey delos Santos andJoey delos Santos andwhile the setting in Filipino is by Dennis N. Marasigan. In the psalm refrain you call the assembly to praise God for healing the brokenhearted. In the verses you expand on the ways God does this healing. As part of your preparation try putting names and faces on these ways. In other words, what have you seen God rebuild? Who have you seen God regather? Whom do you watch God sustain? (Cf. Living Liturgy 2012, p. 51) Please click the picture or the highlighted link to download the high resolution PDF files of our composers. Go to the readings for next Sunday (February 8, 2015) in English via the US Conference for Catholic Bishops or in Filipino via Word and Life Publications. Our apologies for this late post. Our web administrator had a family emergency which delayed our posting of these psalms. Thank you for understanding. Please click the picture or the highlighted link to download the high resolution PDF files of our composers. Go to the readings for next Sunday (January 11, 2015) in English via the US Conference for Catholic Bishops or in Filipino via Word and Life Publications.Please click the picture or the highlighted link to download the high resolution PDF files of our composers. Go to the readings for next Sunday (February 8, 2015) in English via the US Conference for Catholic Bishops. |
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