Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon

At a time when living the Christian way of life is being challenged daily by the ways of the world, it is but fitting to ponder the question, “Is our paradigm in line with the paradigm of the Lord Jesus Christ?”

This was a question posted to the community by Rev. Fr. Herb Schneider, SJ when he celebrated holy mass during Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon’s Feast of the Covenant last Sunday, September 20, 2009.   The community, who had the events hall of the A-Venue at Makati Avenue packed that day, was also reminded by Fr. Herb to: renew the commitment daily, pray continuously, and always look to God for guidance (“If you wish to be my disciples, take up your cross daily and follow me.” –Mt. 16:24).  He also challenged each one to ask himself daily, “Are you the kind of person who more and more lay down his life?”

Melmarx leading off in the worship

Towards the end of the mass, new sector coordinators were installed and prayed over by the community: Andy Juan of the North Sector and Melmarx Marcojos of the Central Sector (not present during the ceremony was Spanky Meer of the South Sector).

After the Eucharistic celebration, newly installed Central Sector Coordinator Melmarx Marcojos led the body into worship.  Echoing Fr. Herb’s reminder regarding our covenant commitment, he reminded us that God is “not just the God of Abraham and of Isaac, but that He is our God…and that He is the same God who calls us today and who will call us tomorrow…to make a covenant with Him.”

Jake Yap of the Servants of the Word then gave a talk on the theme Called for such a time as this.  According to him, the times we’re living in is characterized by rapid changes and an excess of suffering.  So what’s to be our response?  Faithfulness to God, steadfastness in love, and the building of community—that will love the Lord despite a world turning away from Him.  He continued to encourage everyone by saying, “God is on the move—He continues to show us His presence in our lives today.”

Next was a sharing from two sisters and a brother.

Charmz, Enee and Bobby give their testimonies at the Feast

The first sister, Charmz Bautista, shared about how she, as a teacher, chooses to live her faith, lead by example, and pray for her students; the effects of which is greatly seen in their lives and the decisions they make.  Her steadfastness is guided by the Lord’s words to her: “Do not plan on the basis of your limitations; but plan on the basis of what I promise you.”

Another sister, Enee Abrenica, a daughter of Ligaya members, shared about her reluctance to attend LNP activities at first, but didn’t want to make her parents sad (or probably get them into trouble with the community), so she kept joining—until she found herself completing all the courses and qualified to be covenanted.  All the while attending the community for the happiness of her parents, she now wondered, “What would life be under the veil?  Whose happiness would it be this time?”  Until she found the answer in her heart and realized that this was indeed the right thing to do.  For this time she knows that not only will it make her parents, her pastoral leader, and her community happy…but most importantly, her covenant commitment would make God happy…and that’s what makes her truly happy as well.

Lastly, Bobby Quitain, a brother and lay preacher, shared about the challenges and blessings he faces everyday in his God-given mission.  His steadfastness in faith and commitment to his covenant in Ligaya was truly evident in his resolve as he proclaimed, “I will not occupy unless I occupy with you, brothers and sisters”  — the reason why he turned down a great offer from well-known lay preacher Bo Sanchez to regularly preach in The Feast.  According to Bobby, accepting the offer would require much of his time and might take him away from his other commitments in Ligaya and his mission.  His decision was guided by his belief that, “My covenant is a channel of God’s mission.  I must never occupy at the expense of my covenant.”

The inspiring sharing was followed by the much-awaited Acceptance and Renewal of Covenant Commitment led by Senior Head Coordinator, Bro. Tony Panajon, where the community witnessed the covenanting of brothers and sisters: 18 from the North Sector, 22 from the Central Sector, and 16 from the South Sector.  After the laying of mantels (brothers) and veils (sisters) by their respective District Coordinators, the newly covenanted members were prayed over by the whole community and accepted with warm greetings.

A total of 56 brothers and sisters made a public commitment to the Covenant

In these challenging times, it is truly heartening to witness such acts of commitment to the Lord and His intended way of life.  Indeed, in professing your faith and steadfastness in rising up to the world’s everyday challenge, what could be better than to be called for such a time as this?

Related stories and testimonies:

• Kuya Tony Exhorts Everyone To Engage In Battle
• My Boat, My Anchor, And My Seashore – sharing by Bobby Quitain
• This Is Where God Wants Me to Be – sharing by Enee Abrenica
• Being a Silent Witness Is Not Enough – sharing by Charmz Bautista
• Ligaya Elects Sector Coordinators