Two weeks later, I’m glad I had a story to tell. It began when I boarded a flight to Bangkok.  The flight was full, so I ended up being upgraded  to  the Business Class section  of the plane.  Thanking God for the blessing, and for the onboard food that was being served, I made the sign of the cross and prayed.   Lo and behold, my seatmate, a very big American,  looked at me and said: “DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?  WELL, I DON’T!”

I looked at him, introduced myself, and said, yes, I do believe in GOD.  He then challenged me to prove the existence of God, mathematically, scientifically, logically, my choice.  I had met atheists before, and usually ignored them.  But this guy,   I realized,  was going to be my seatmate for a 3-hour flight, and I would not be able to ignore him. Not only was he bigger than me, he seemed extremely fit, oozing  with self-confidence to the point of arrogance, and he was challenging me to an intellectual discourse of my Christian faith. 

When he introduced himself, I found out that he was a recently retired US Navy Fighter Pilot, with a Masters in Theology from Georgetown University in Washington DC, and a Doctorate in Particle Physics. He also retired from military service with tons of money he earned from patenting a musical  device.  

He said he had already read the bible 25 times, was baptized as a Catholic, then converted to a Baptist Christian, and then realized along the way that since he cannot find a logical proof of God’s existence, he became an atheist.

At that point, I remembered the story of the late Cardinal Sin who related a story of a plane trip he had where he happened to be seated beside  an atheist who kept bothering the late cardinal and telling him there is no God. His story ended well when the plane experienced very severe turbulence to the point where the atheist asked the late cardinal to include her in his prayers for salvation.  I was about to pray to God for a very big turbulence when I realized that this will not work with my seatmate  because he was after all a veteran US Navy fighter Pilot.

I also realized that since he had a Masters in Theology, and had read the  bible 25 times, and still did not believe in God,  it would be futile for me to enter in an intellectual discourse with him.

I tried to avoid his proof challenge  but instead   I asked about his business trip to Bangkok, and  how was his experience in the US Navy, flying  the F14 and F18 fighter jets.

Then, I asked him what triggered his loss of faith in the Catholic faith.  I found out that early in his life, his Catholic father hurt and abused him, his first marriage ended tragically when his first wife and his 18-month twins died in a terrible car accident in the US, and how his plane malfunctioned on a reconnaissance mission over USSR and how we was imprisoned and brutally  tortured by his Russian captors for 3 months before he was rescued by US Navy Seals.   

He told me of the destruction that he had seen all over the world, how innocent people, babies, children, were killed or buried alive, and then he told me, in a very loud voice that the entire business class cabin could hear, IF GOD TRULY EXISTS, HE WOULD NOT ALLOW THESE HORRIBLE THINGS TO HAPPEN TO THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE.”

At that point, the cabin purser approached me, and asked me in Tagalog  if I want to be re-seated elsewhere. I told her I was fine, since I still have not ran out of English.  I told my seatmate about the book “God in the Dock”, written by C.S. Lewis,  a known atheist who rediscovered his Christian faith. I told him that the book was about God’s decision to live dangerously, by giving us free will.

He said he will look for that book and read it. That gave me some nice but short comfort,   because  he said that after he reads it, he intends to tell me what is wrong with the book.

"I'm ready to share my story." Albert Villadolid

I told him that if he was willing to listen to my personal conversion story, I will share my faith with him.  He agreed.  I told him that it is not enough to be baptized and sacramentalized as a Catholic, we also need to be evangelized. I told him my story where, as a young activist student leader, I tried to indoctrinate Christian leaders of a community who ended up evangelizing me.  By the way, on the side, these leaders I was trying to indoctrinate then and who ended up evangelizing me were  Mike Joseph Jr., Francis Ituralde, and Harvey Campos, amongst others.  He  listened to my personal conversion story, and later on told me he liked my story, and he responded by  saying,  “My  wife will like you. She would be happy to know that I met a man of faith like you. I like you. Let’s have dinner together when you and I are back in Manila soon.  Bring your wife along.”

We parted ways when we arrived in our destination. But before we left, I said to my seatmate: “I will pray for you that you may have a Paulinian experience.” He looked at me, and said, “I know that! Road to Damascus, blinding light, voice from above.” I said, “Yes, that’s the one! You know the bible very well.” Then he said, “If providence is kind to us, we will meet again.”  I told him, “Now that’s a surprise, coming from an atheist like you, because the word
“providence” to me is about God’s love.” 

He did not want me to have the last say, so he said. “See, you already had an effect on me just by seating beside me for 3 hours. See you in Manila soon”.  I can only pray and say “Amen”.

- ALBERT VILLADOLID, South A

Editor’s Note:  This sharing was given during the 2010 Good Friday Recollection.

While other people in a similar situation would escape through alcohol, being super busy, drugs, gimmicks, “mall-itis” (laging nasa mall), and what have you, I chose to face my problems squarely by clinging to the Lord through Daily Mass and Holy Communion, regular Confession, extended prayer times in the Adoration Chapel, God’s Word, offering myself to be used for service and also doing the simple tasks to be done for my family. 

I want to share about SERVICE. If we recall our LSS/ECLS, SERVICE is one of the spokes of the Growth wheel. Since I had all the time for service now that I am in between jobs (“pinaganda lang…walang trabaho”), I made myself available for service. I volunteered to serve as speaker and Discussion Group Leader (DGL) in the 3-day PNP ECLS in Clark last February 10-12 together with other brothers from the South Sector led by Oscar Papa and assisted by Lito Pineda. The immersion experience we had in Clark was life-changing for me. I experienced  first-hand the powerful work and inspiration of the Spirit. Tough, veteran, hardened police officers shedding tears after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation which they failed to avail of  for many years (truly there was great rejoicing in heaven that day because not only one, but more than 30 police officers repented! Lk. 15 : 7). The Spirit’s gentle and loving Presence in the praying overs and Baptism in the Spirit was also felt powerfully! The members of the service team also gave up our “Isaacs” and went out of our comfort zone since we ate what the participants ate (usually rice and one ulam) in 15-20 minutes flat! We also didn’t have the luxury of having our own individual bathrooms. 

Mario, flanked by Oscar Papa and the South Sector LSS Team, with their PNP brothers

The Spirit continued to pour on me the gift of zeal for service, mission, and evangelization a few days after the PNP ECLS in Clark through the different sharings and messages in our Community Conference last February 21. The Spirit ignited in my heart the fire for mission and service through the words of Jean Barbara that was shared in the conference …”You cannot simply stay within the walls of Ligaya. You would not be able to fully understand your call unless you give and you give more. And the more you give, the more you will understand what God has called you to do and to be. You will discover God working miracles in you, in your families, in your children, and in the community.” 

I was particularly touched by the sharing of the Prison Ministry of the North Sector at the Quezon City Jail as shared by Dr. Charlie Lasa and the sharings of Lito Pineda and Jun Ramirez about Tahanan Ng Panginoon. I felt a strong prompting from the Spirit to actively join the Compassion Ministry. My coordinator, Manny de los Santos, confirmed this and he appointed me to form and head  SD-A’s Compassion Ministry. He introduced me to the core group of the Prison Ministry of Ayala Alabang’s Parish of St. James. I have been regularly joining their weekly visits & powerful prayer meetings to 100 inmates of the Muntinlupa City Jail. I also joined the North Sector Prison Ministry in one of their weekly visits & bible study at the Quezon City Jail. I have also volunteered to give talks to TNP “Tambakan” in Tramo, Paranaque. For many years now, each time I read about the Corporal Works of Mercy in Matthew 25 : 35-36, 40 (“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…I needed clothes and you clothed me…I was in prison and you came to visit me…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”, I have this uncomfortable feeling inside me since I still have to actualize this. 

Now I know that one of the reasons God called me into “exile” is so that I can serve him more actively in the “open door” of the Ministry of Compassion and PNP ECLS, which normally, I could not do because of my hectic work schedule. Thus, I say : “Thank you Lord for allowing me to go into exile so that I can serve you more!” 

Mario and Lei Romero and their family

(Mario Romero, 57 years old, is happily married to Leah Romero. They have 5 grown up children—Dominic, 32, Christine, 30, Raquel, 27, TJ, 26, and Peter John, 24, (their son afflicted with a rare congenital heart and lung defect). Mario and Leah have been with LNP since June 1982. Leah serves in the Mother Butler Guild in their parish while Mario heads the newly-formed Compassion Ministry of SD-A and is a member of the South Sector Word Ministry. Mario is a mainstay in the PNP ECLS Service Team since the time of the late Gen. Nap de los Santos.) 

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. 

Guito Belza thankful for the blessing of Community

In 1980, after years of a worldly life, I said yes to an invitation for a Ligaya CLP and then for a community weekend. Three years after in 1983, the Community Administrator then was resigning. Fr. Herb invited me to take his place.

Although I had already a sense form the Lord to work full time, I had to confront several realities: first, After 10 yrs. of TV broadcasting career, I knew if I said yes- I’ll no longer be able to go back to my first love of TV broadcasting. second, As the Production Manager then of Channel 2 and at the same time directing several TV shows, this would mean a reduction in my income. And third, in the LNP office, there was no longer a position I can move up to.

But still I said yes and it was not an easy path after…but my Lord and His loving kindness had always  been there!

From 3 districts, the number of community members then was fast increasing. And our outreaches were starting and growing one after another. As Community Administrator, I had to work on streamlining and upgrading the office to support the leadership through all these growth and expansion. Concurrently as Community Head Servant, I had to help in the formation and support of the District Servants and their service teams as well as the Sounds and Technical Ministry, Ushers’ Team, Celebrations Committee and others. And to continue fostering personal relationship in a fast expanding community, we had to design and organize very participative  celebrations for the whole community including then, our big Ligaya Christmas party. With all these work, my Lord and His loving kindness had always been there!

A year after I worked full time, I married Imma in 1984 and our family started to grow. Mary Grace was born, then  Daniel, Paul John and Vincent. AS the family grew and so too our expenses… but my Lord and His loving kindness had always been there!

As the years moved on, there were a lot more trials along the way: mid-life crisis caught on me and together w/ ongoing and rising financial requirements , family relationship difficulties, sicknesses… I began to harbor resentments towards the Lord. I cried out to Him: “I have served you all these years and had given up many things! Why?” And several times I would turn my back against him. But even at those times, He had always been there waiting for me to move closer back to Him. And several times I would just grasp back His hand and just held it tight. 

After 20 years of full time community work, I retired 7 years ago.

In June last year, I went to Bicol w/ my mother to plant organic vegetables on our small property. It was there I suffered my first heart attack and so I came back to Mla for consultations. My mother meanwhile broke her hip in Bicol and several months after, suffered another stroke. Her e in Manila, I was rushed to the Heart Center in August and underwent angioplasty. Then my son Paul John had Dengue and was hospitalized for 1 wk. And then Ondoy flooded the first floor of our house. But in all these difficulties, my lord and His loving kindness had always been there through you, my bros. and sis.

Last Feb 9, I was scheduled for an examination to be able to determine wether I really have to undergo a bypass. Then it happened. Two days before on Feb 7, I suffered cardiac arrest during FC3. Dr. Guia Tan’s email emphasized that the series of events after, were not coincidences but clearly showed that “God’s hand was in the pie.” Indeed, the Lord and His loving kindness had always been there- through you bros. and sis!

My Lord had always been there through our doctors at the FC3 who  revived me and through my Cardiologist Dr. Myla Supe, who arrived immediately and assisted the surgeons w/ my medical history and  through you, bros. and sis at the FC3, who provided a massive and immediate prayer cover and w/ many other brothers and sisters, who continued to pray through the night and the days after!     My Lord and His loving kindness had always been  there  through you, bros. and sis, who  consoled Imma and my children as they waited  hoping for a second chance for my life and through you and our youth who provided the much-needed blood supply.!     My Lord had always been  there through my coordinator Ali and PL- Rey, and other bros. and sis. who made all arrangements for discounts and loans to meet initial then succeeding hospital bill payments.

My Lord had always been  there  through you bros. and sis., who approved , organized and contributed to-the fund raising during the community conference from which the total collection was the exact hospital bill due in a few days.

My Lord and His loving kindness had always been there through you bros. and sis., who have continued to pray and share your limited resources. Indeed the Lord is well pleased w/ your sharing of your loaves and fish that He has multiplied it through a charitable institution.

After all these, I’m again face to face with hard realities: continous working on my livelihood projects to be able to meet remaining loans due to my operation as well as ongoing school and family needs. But deep in my renewed heart, I know that my Lord and His loving kindness will always be there!     From the bottom of my heart, I proclaim that through all of these trials, my Lord and His loving kindness had always been there, through you bros. and sis.! Through all of these, I have deeply felt the Lord and really experienced His Person; I have truly seen His face…in the love you have for me and my family!

- GUITO BELZA, North C

Editor’s Note:  This is the testimony that Guito Belza shared during the Good Friday Recollection, April 2, 2010.

“When God is involved, it’s not necessarily the giftedness of the leader that prompts God’s blessing; it’s more often the leader’s willingness to move when & where He indicates.” – John Maxwell (from The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day)

I’ve also experienced the Lord’s blessing in the same way, and I would like to share my reflection about it — not as a leader, but as a disciple who desires to faithfully follow the Lord.

Three years ago, I heard the Lord prompting me to once again serve Him through the community. You see, I was at a point when I didn’t want to pursue community life any more.  So when I heard the Lord calling me, I was really not inclined to obey… simply because (nakakahiya mang aminin) I’m not a confident person. I would always avoid serving by pointing to another person and say, ‘Sya na lang Lord, he can do it better anyway.  Di ko kaya yan.’

For quite some time, that would work.  The Lord would just let me have it my way.   He would call.  I would plead and avoid.  But then the Lord, with all His love, desires my growth; and so He would get back to me calling me to serve yet again and again.  He wouldn’t stop.  And each time, I would look at my ungiftedness, and beg off.

Finally the Lord said,  “Mark, what I’m asking from you is your availability. Are you willing to make yourself available for me?”    I couldn’t say No to that.

"It is our willingness to be available that the Lord seeks in our hearts." - Mark Dino

I started attending prayer meetings of Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon. My first service was playing the guitar during the worship because that is the only service that I know how to do decently well.  I was content in serving in the music ministry then.  But the Lord had a plan for me to grow, and He knew that I wouldn’t grow just by doing what I wanted to do.   And so, through my leader, the Lord called me to take another step in serving him.  I was asked to lead a prayer meeting.  I begged to be assigned to a prayer meeting three months from that day.   Then came a series of requests for service — each service involving an area that I’m not familiar with, nor confident to do because I know I’m not good at it or not gifted with it. And each and every time, the Lord would only ask me for one thing – my availability.

Looking back now, I’m thankful for every step of service that God called me to. For each commitment of availability that I made with the Lord, I was blessed more than anyone else. I learned new skills, I grew in character, and I was able to witness to my brothers and sisters.  Best of all, I was serving not man but God. 

Going back to Maxwell’s words, my conviction grew even more knowing that our God blesses those who are willing to step out of our comfort zone in order to please the Lord, willing to be used by the Lord despite insecurities of our incapabilities.  The very disposition of putting ourselves at the disposal of the Lord plays a big factor for God to bless us.   It’s ironic that when we give ourselves away for service, we realize at the end of the day, it is us who are blessed all the more.

I believe that God’s equation is: service = blessing.  Blessed, not in the material sense, but blessed in the sense that we can truly ask for whatever means it takes to do our service well, and He will grant it.  The Lord will supply the necessary grace that we need to do our service well.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Lk 9: 23-24)

The bottom line: God desires that his people may have life to the full.  God desires to bless his people – his only requirement: our willingness to make ourselves availabile for His sake.

My experience says, when we give ourselves away for the service of the Lord, we are transformed, we are changed, and we are blessed.

– Mark Dino  (North District E, and Branch Leader for Lingkod, Quezon City)

Speaking before Ligaya for the first time since he was elected as President of the SoS, Jean Barbara thanked Ligaya for responding to the call of God to serve Him.  “For many years,” Jean said, “you have served not only your own community, but you have served the Sword of the Spirit.  You have given yourselves generously to the mission, in the Philippines, in India, in Singapore.”

"We never thought we would get out of our small Christian ghetto."

Jean testified how the power of the Holy Spirit was manifested when their community, The People of God, responded to the missionary call.  Never imagining that they would ever need to leave the safe surroundings of their little Christian ghetto in Lebanon, “the first door that the Lord opened was in Syria itself (always considered our enemy because they occupied our country for twenty years).”

Responding to the urging of the Holy Spirit and to the invitation of a priest in Syria, he led a team of 30 fresh young men, mostly children of community, to conduct a Life in the Spirit Seminar in a far flung town in Syria, braving the cold winter, sacrificing a Christmas holiday, and even risking life.   He saw how powerful the transformation was, not only on those 90 persons who came to be prayed over during the LSS, but also on those who joined in the mission trip. 

Speaking about these kids whom he led on mission, Jean said, “You need to realize these are community kids that have been well raised.  But raised to be in community, to be good disciples, but not to be exposed to this kind of ‘wild’ going on mission, the way Jesus sent the disciples on mission in Luke 10, ‘Don’t take with you any sandals, nothing with you.  Just go.’”   It was only during their 11-hour road trip that Jean conducted training for these would-be missionaries.  “I gave them training on the bus on how to lead a seminar.  Most of them had never done anything of the sort before: how to pray over people.”   

Even as this training was going on, Jean continued, “some people started experiencing God working among them.  The Holy Spirit was working among them, and their hearts were being changed.”   And during the LSS, he said, “these good community kids started evangelizing and praying over people, and seeing miracles happen.  Conversions.  People being filled by the Holy Spirit.  Being baptized in the Holy Spirit.  People crying.  We were the first group ever who visited this region and did any Christian mission, ever since this Church existed in the past 50 years maybe.”  

At the end of the mission, Jean said parents were amazed at how their kids were transformed by this experience.  “They came back and their parents would tell me, ‘What did you do with our kids?’  They would come  and stand and prophesy in community gatherings.  Most of them had not experienced spiritual gifts before.  Most of them are saying, ‘we want to be missionaries.  We want to serve the Lord.  Now we understand what the Sword of the Spirit is all about.’  This is what God is talking to us about open doors.” 

Having testified to the transforming power of mission work, Jean turned to the Ligaya Community and had two things to say to the members.  The first message was his message of gratitude for all the service that Ligaya had given to the Sword of the Spirit.  He singled out, in particular, Fr. Herb, Vic Guitierrez, Tony Panajon, and Ken Noecker.

His second message to Ligaya was equally powerful and emphatic. 

And my second word to you, which I think is also from the Lord, is “Give more!”  Give more today than you ever gave before.  Give more of your time, more of your money, more of your people, more of your talents.  Give more to the mission.

This is not only consistent with biblical and spiritual principles (“if you have received much, much will be required of you to give”), and with the call of Jesus for all to be missionaries, but, he said, “even more so because of the season we are in, because of the doors that the Lord is opening, and because of His invitation to you and to all of us to go through the door and give more of what we have received.”

"I invite you to put on the mantle of a missionary."

He punctuated his message with the following exhortation:

I invite you to take on more and more the mantle of a missionary, whose life is to serve the Lord beyond his own community.  I invite you to start evangelizing.   Some ofyou will be called to evangelize more.  Some of you will be called to serve in the movements that you have.

You cannot simply stay within the walls of Ligaya.  You would not be able to fully understand your call unless you give and you give more.  And the more you give, the more you will understand what God has called you to do and to be.  But even more.  You will discover God working in miracles in you, in your families, in your children, and in the community.

In specific terms, he said God was asking Ligaya the following:

• to “give more of your men .. for the mission in the region, and for the mission internationally.” 
• to “give more of your money. We are right now in the Sword of the Spirit in a fund raising campaign to be able to sustain all the mission that the Lord is opening before us.  Luke spoke about Uganda.  But there is a new mission in Russia.  There is a new mission everywhere.”
• to “release our kids for mission. If you want your kids to understand what we are about, send them on mission …. Our kids need to understand and to taste God in action.  They need to go in faith. When everything is provided for them, there is no room for faith.”

Jean Barbara concluded with a promise of a vision.

I think we are in a time of grace, brothers and sisters.  I think the Lord is serious about this call … Everything I talked about in this sharing was about the Heaven that we are already living on earth.  Being in community is a foretaste of heaven. Giving our lives completely like our Master did is a foretaste of heaven. Going on mission and seeing God in action is seeing Heaven opened and His angels working in us and through us, and His Holy Spirit at work.

RELATED LINKS:

• A LETTER FROM THE SOS PRESIDENT — addressed to all SOS members worldwide (1 Nov 2009)
• JEAN BARBARA – God’s watchful and longing servant – an interview with Jean Barbara (23 Nov 2009)

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

Good afternoon, brothers and sisters. A blessed Feast of the Covenant to us all.

Let me begin my sharing sometime December 2007 when I first heard God’s challenging call for me to leave my full time legal work in the Office of the Ombudsman to devote more of my time to being an evangelistic preacher and to use my God-given preaching ability in the service of the wider church.  In the Gospel account where Jesus told Peter to “put out into the deep”, I felt God calling me to “put out into the deep” and to go where the fish are. On February 2008, after almost three months of intense discernment, I took the giant step of faith. Little did I know that that step would begin for me, an incredible journey towards a greater appreciation of my covenant in the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon. Today, after almost 2 years of being a Catholic lay preacher, I stand before you grateful to the Lord and to the covenant that I have with Him. Allow me to share with you three things I’ve learned the last two years about my covenant.

First, the covenant for me has been a source of conviction for God’s personal call at this time in my life. Through the spiritual guidance of my pastoral leader then, Melmarx Marcojos, and my other present as well as former leaders in the community, I was able to arrive at a difficult decision that I was at peace with. Through my covenant, God has given me an anchor, these leaders who can validate, affirm, clarify or strengthen what I hear from God. I told my leaders then, and I say it to all to you today, I will not go into any mission without the full blessing of my covenant. In a sense, I will not occupy unless I occupy with you, my bros and sisters. For in this covenant, I find my identity, my essence and my significance as a missionary. As a fisher of men, my covenant commitment is like my anchor that keeps me stable when storms of doubt come to shake my convictions about my decision.

Bobby Quitain

Secondly, the covenant for me is a place of refuge for a boat on mission. God has opened many doors for me the past two years. I have spoken in company conventions, charismatic congress, school affairs, government functions and various church events. I have also written five books to date. Preaching to different crowds of all kinds and sizes almost every week at different places here and abroad, and writing my books in between talks can be very draining. And that is why all the more I appreciate your covenant commitment to me, especially my MWG and my district, which has always been and will always be a source of security and strength for me. Here, in the community, I can be weak, vulnerable and tired. I can be who I am and be confident that I will be loved and accepted. My mwg and district have been a source of prayer cover as I fight the war in the frontlines of evangelization. And I always end up being recharged again whenever I return home to Ligaya from the battlefield. As I’ve written in the acknowledgment page of my third book, community is the seashore where this boat on mission finds its rest.

Third, my covenant is a channel of God’s provision. Through my covenant, the Lord has provided for what I needed to go on mission for Him. Just like the boat which took Peter to the deep where he fished, community was the boat which took me where the fish were. Different bros and sis provided me the boat that I needed to go to their respective companies, schools, parishes, and other organizations. Bros and sis, in various ways, also provided for a lot of my practical needs. In a span of less than two years, my family has been in and out of the hospital more than 5 times for different reasons. And yet through it all, community was there with me, giving both moral and practical support. God is my direct employer, and He has provided for all my needs through my covenant.

Bobby and Jeng Quitain with their two daughters, Robelle and Mara

Recently, my covenant commitment was firmed up even more. One of my personal mentors, Bro. Bo Sanchez who has helped me so much in my first year as a lay preacher, in his earnest desire to help further my ministry, invited me to be a regular preacher in the Feast gatherings, a weekly evangelistic event hosted by his community. I was excited thinking this would really widen my evangelistic territory. Serving in the Feast would require at least three nights a week for me to devote on meetings and preaching preparations. Taking Bro. Bo’s advice, I took a month to discern his invitation. Once again, I consulted my leaders and prayed with them. And after a month, I arrived at a difficult decision. I will have to say no to Bo. I looked at my covenant commitments, and realized that given my present services in Ligaya, it was virtually impossible to serve in the Feast no matter how much I wanted to. Bo graciously gave me his blessings and promised to pray for me. And because of this, I will always be grateful to him. Nevertheless, it was tough choice because I practically let go of a great opportunity to occupy a wider evangelistic territory. But this experience also taught me an important lesson: that as a covenanted member of LNP, I must never occupy at the expense of my covenant. 

Tomorrow, I will be leaving for the Sultanate of Oman in the Arabian Peninsula to speak at the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Congress. But rest assured that as I stand before that crowd on Tuesday, I will be standing there, not only as Bobby Quitain the preacher, but as Bobby Quitain the covenanted member of the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon. Yes, brothers and sisters, I will occupy. But I will always occupy with the full blessings of my covenant which has always been my boat, my anchor and my seashore.

A blessed feast of the covenant to us all, bros and sisters!

EDITOR’S NOTE: The above sharing was given by Bobby Quitain during the Feast of the Covenant on September 20, 2009, at the A-Venue Hall. – Eddie Mendoza

Stories related to the 2009 Feast of the Covenant:

• Kuya Tony Exhorts Everyone To Engage In Battle
• 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

In a phrase, I can describe my life in Community by saying that “This is all because of Obedience.”

I first began my journey in Ligaya in 2006 through the Purpose Driven Life Series sponsored by the South Sector, held every Monday from March 2006 in Festival Mall, Alabang.  I was literally forced to participate in that so called PDL Series by my Mom. She told me, “Anak, kelangan ka mag attend sa PDL kasi wala kaming candidate ni Daddy mo.  Hindi pwede na wala kaming candidate.”  I considered myself FORCED, BERATED, and even BRIBED just to attend Ligaya activities.

Eena Abrenica

But at that point, I had no choice.  My mom’s order for me to attend seems like a life and death situation for her in Ligaya.  I thought, wala ba silang friends at bakit ako kailangan pilitin?  Yet, I obeyed.  All because I had this funny thought that my parents would be kicked out of Community all because they did not have a candidate for PDL.

And so I attended – almost completing all sessions of the PDL, and taking seriously each presentation.  I found myself angry, but taking seriously each talk.  That was the first time too that I came to know the sisters from the Singles District.

But the PDL Series was timely to me for at that point I was experiencing Quarter Life Crisis.  It was a time when I was seeking my purpose in life, and what I am called to do as a daughter, as a sister, as a friend, and as a professional.  And through that PDL Series God spoke to me clearly, “You are created for God’s family.”

Of course, I did not thank my Mom for forcing me to attend the PDL after that Series ended.  Otherwise, she would again force me to attend the rest of the activities.  But I thank God for making me OBEY.

But after that PDL, I received SMS messages from a sister from South G inviting me to the Annual Singles Retreat of the district.  Unfortunately, I told my mom about it, so she again told me, “Mag reply ka ng YES.  Nakakahiya kapag di magreply.  Respect yan.”  Oh well, I had no choice but to reply.  And of course, I said YES.  And eventually that sister who invited me to the retreat became my first Pastoral Leader.

From then on, I just found myself attending the Community Weekend in 2007 and the district gatherings.  And every time I came home, Mommy would always meet me with a big smile.  She would just say “Anak, masaya talaga ako kapag nag-aattend ka ng Ligaya.  Ikahahaba ng buhay naming ni Daddy mo yan.”  And so, attending the formation courses and the rest of the Ligaya activities was all because these were LIGAYA NI MOMMY.  When asked why I was always out of the house on weekends, I would reply, “Hay naku, pupunta ako sa LIGAYA NI MOMMY.”  In my mind, how can I not attend community activities when my attendance would lengthen the life of my mom.  And if I do not go, this will be ANG LUNGKOT NI MOMMY.   I told God, sige na nga, Lord. 

Mom, Enee, and Dad

Although my presence in community was all because I had to obey my Mom, I found myself enjoying the teachings.  I took the courses seriously, and I really tried to apply them in my life.  Unknowingly, I found myself enjoying Community Life.  My mom would sometimes tease me, “Anak, Ligaya ni Enee na ba yan?” I would tell her, Ligaya ni Patty”.  Patty Domingo was my Pastoral Leader then.  My pastoral leader asked me to attend all the courses whenever offered, and she would tell me “Enee, wag kang mag-absent ha, para wala tayong make up session. And baka matagal pa i-offer ang course.  Kaya take mo na, Day.”  And so I finished all the formation courses in less than 2 years.

In 2008, my Pastoral Leader asked me to serve as the district’s Tithe Collector.  Again, it was a test of obedience.  I could not say no to my pastoral leader, who at that time was already preparing to move on from the Singles District to the married district.  I did not want to make her life difficult.  How could I say NO to her? I did not want to ruin her credit standing as pastoral leader, having a member who did not want to serve.  And so I said YES and I had to OBEY.  I just had to because of her.

But God has blessed my YES to the service.  I realized how significant the role of the Tithe Collector is to the life of the brothers and sisters and to the Community as a whole.  And again, I took the service seriously, and considered it “THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE.”  Whenever my Mom found me issuing Provisional Receipts and literally praying over them, she would ask me, “Anak, ano yang ginagawa mo?”  I would tell her, “Mommy, I need to pray over these booklets of Provisional Receipts, para maubos agad. That would mean that all of the brothers and sisters were up to date with their tithes.  Tulungan mo akong mag pray over.”  So, both of us will pray over the booklets.

Though I felt that the responsibility was too big, I enjoyed being the district’s Tithe Collector.  I got the chance to communicate with brothers and sisters, and to be closer to them.  In effect, I found my place in their lives.  What I was doing was Ligaya ni Enee.

When I got my invitation to accept the Covenant this year, I thought, was this too soon?  Although they knew that I got the invitation, my mom and dad were unusually silent.  And my dad just said, “Day, all you have to do is accept.”

During the Covenanted Candidates Retreat and the 40 day period of discernment before the Feast of the Covenant, I had only this thought in mind.  “What would life be under the white VEIL?”  My life in community had just been a life of saying yes out of obedience, though my heart was not into it.  From Ligaya Ni Mommy, Ligaya Ni Patty, Ligaya ni Enee.  So, I asked God, whose JOY is it really?

After discernment, two senses were clear to me: First, my obedience is nothing without God.  God has drawn something good out of my YES, and He has never withdrawn anything from me.  He has even multiplied and made me fruitful.  Second, I am in Community not because I am worthy to be here, but this is where God wants me to be.  No matter whose Joy it is, ultimately what is important is what is pleasing to God.  This is Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon –  my family is happy; my district is happy; my sector is happy; the community is happy and truly, God is happy. 

Thank you.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The above sharing was given by Enee prior to making her public commitment during the Feast of the Covenant on September 20, 2009, at the A-Venue Hall. – Eddie Mendoza

Stories related to the 2009 Feast of the Covenant:

• Kuya Tony Exhorts Everyone To Engage In Battle
• My Boat, My Anchor, And My Seashore – sharing by Bobby Quitain
• Being a Silent Witness Is Not Enough – sharing by Charmz Bautista
• Ligaya Elects Sector Coordinators