Spread Faith, Not Virus Lent and Holy Week have set in early, and truly, as everybody and everything are on a standstill. Who would ever think that we are going to experience such a situation? I would like to share this message that I received from a group chat. Suddenly the world changed. New York now sleeps Mickey Mouse went on vacation The NBA said NO The toilet paper is a treasure to find No more vacation We learned to wash our hands Kisses and hugs are not daring, today they are contagious Sanity gave way to hysteria and panic And a virus crowns as if it were the owner of the world But it is not so, and there is something that the coronavirus will not change. It is the love and the mercy of God... that will remain for eternity. May our faith not diminish. Let’s not stop praying. He is in control. Surely something good will come out after this. [Author Unknown] Be Blessed. Be Safe. Be Well. Adrian Panganiban
03.22.2020 Sunday 9:00AM FB Live Talk Fourth Sunday of Lent
Best Preaching Ever
TALK 1: Upside Down Kingdom
At Home
Kamusta po kayo sa inyong mga tahanan? I think that this is a first for all of us, to experience a crisis such as this.
TODAY’S READINGS First Reading: First Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 Psalms: Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6 Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14 Gospel: John 9:1-41
Challenging. Kasi apektado tayo ng dalawang bagay: una, takot magkaroon ng sakit, at ikalawa, dahil sa takot na walang kikitain at maipakain sa mga pamilya natin.
Kaya hindi ko rin masisi ang mga taong nagpupumilit magtrabaho at pumasok sa opisina. In spite of the danger, I feel their desire to provide for their families. I believe that this is a time for us to really pray and ask God for guidance. May we find the purpose and blessing in this difficult time. To those who still go to work, continue to observe the safety protocols. May God be with you. To those working or staying at home, may this time brings new meaning to you. May this serve as an opportunity to strengthen your relationships. For all of us, may this bring us to a new level of faith and hope in God knowing that He is sovereign. We will overcome! Kaya tuloy pa rin po ang ating Feast, via live stream. Because we want to do our part in bringing God’s encouragement and love to you. Have a blessed Feast today. In Christ, John Ben Rodriguez
Blessing Blog Seeing the Blessing Behind the Disaster Jaela Prado, 18, Student
Last week, I’ve been stressed because of school works with deadlines fast approaching. Suffering from acid reflux, my stomach hurt badly that I could not focus on my studies. When the president ordered an enhanced community quarantine, it felt like I’ve just turned into a blob. Oh, so this is how it feels like to relax. My school and online classes got canceled and that meant more time to complete my requirements. And it came with bonuses, more time for myself and my family. These days, I see a lot of social media posts sharing how they’re tired of being trapped inside their homes. Yes, it can be suffocating but I believe it depends on how we spend our time. I suggest stop scrolling on your feed and start maximizing your time. Try doing something new -- read an e-book or listen to podcasts, cook, exercise (you need it), and most importantly, pray and reflect. With all the negative news about the virus, I am just happy that my family and I are safe and I hope and pray that everyone else is. #StayHomeSaveLives
Interesting Facts About Catholic Church God’s Love is Bigger Mon Bumatay, Theology Student, Maryhill School of Theology While directing the people towards the aisle to receive Communion, I noticed a lady in the last row. She seemed indecisive about whether she will stand or not. I greeted her with a smile and said, “Komunyon po.” She trustingly replied, “I have an illicit relationship, pwede ba?” I had goosebumps hearing that. Then I answered, “Pwede dahil mahal ka ng Diyos.” She stood up and received the Holy Communion. You may probably ask, “Is that allowed?” Heretic as it may sound, Pope Francis released Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), a document that reflects on family life and asks the church to meet people where they are. Chapter 8 of the encyclical acknowledges the presence of “People with Irregular Union,” and that they should not be deprived of receiving sanctifying grace. Pope Francis even cited Pope John Paul II Evangelii Gaudium 44 that says, “The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.” In times of failure, we need help and not punishment. Let us not label nor judge a person by their flaws. Rather, let us encourage one another to indulge in the sanctifying love of God through the sacraments of Confession and Communion.
Personal Reflection
How have your trials purified your heart for God?
Last Week’s Talk and Homily HOMILY The Gospel Reading According to John 4: 5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42 Jesus and the Samaritan Woman FBA AM Session live session By Father Mat Wuwu
What do we thirst for in life? As much as we need water for survival, only a deeper source of living water will quench our spiritual thirst. Jesus offers just that. The Samaritan woman in the Gospel represents all of us. Like her, we can also have a transforming encounter with the Lord, the fountain of living water. What are we ready to give up in exchange for everlasting life? No matter who you are, what race you are born with, how distant you have been with Him, Jesus still offers the same living water He offers the Jews. When we find ourselves empty and life drains you dry, allow the Spirit to nourish our soul. “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God.” - John 4:23
Prayer for Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
First Time Attendees with Bro. Mon & Bro JB [Photo taken March 8, 2020]
TALK 7: You Are God’s Face When people see you, do they see God’s face? For the kingdom of Heaven to be on Earth, Jesus needs representatives. In the Bible, Jesus recruited disciples in the most depressed part of Galilee. Matthew 6:33 NLT says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” But what is the Kingdom about? The literal meaning of Kingdom is “the place where God’s Will is followed.” If we look deeper, in the Book of Genesis, God wants us to reign over. God wants partners, not slaves, to represent His Love and co-rule with Him. We’re all invited! Represent His Face no matter what happens. God invites us to come and follow Him. You are God’s Face. So wherever you go, you expand God’s Kingdom.
Bro. Adrian Panganiban FB Live
Bro. JB Rodriguez FB Live
Deep, Difficult, and Dangerous When Marowe was still my girlfriend, I lived with my parents in Cubao while she lived in faraway Paranaque. The MRT in EDSA was under construction and C5 was not yet completed, so the traffic was horrific. Every night, bringing Marowe home every night was like driving to Baguio, hours-wise. When I shared this to my friend, he had a brilliant solution. He said, “Bo, while they’re still building the MRT in EDSA and C5, I suggest that you look for girlfriend in Quezon City. When all the construction is done, you can go back to Marowe.”
But love doesn’t work that way.
Because I loved bringing her home. Even if it took long. In fact, the longer, the better— because she was with me. Love sacrifices. And that’s what I want you to do today. Because today will be one of the most difficult talks you’ll hear. You’re going to learn deep, difficult, and dangerous stuff. But it will all be worth it. May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez Feast Founder
ENHANCE YOUR FEAST EXPERIENCE
Revised Oration Imperata (to be prayed at 12 noon and 8 in the evening)
God our Father, we come to You in our need to ask Your protection against the COVID 19 that has disturbed and even claimed lives. We pray that You guide the people tasked to find cures for this disease and to stem its transmission. Protect the medical experts that they may minister to the sick with competence and compassion. We pray for those afflicted. May they be restored to health soon. Protect those who care for them. Grant eternal rest to those who have died. Give us the grace in this trying time to work for the good of all and to help those in need. We implore You to stop the spread of this virus and to save us from our fears. Grant all these through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
1
(Sub Tuum Praesidium) We fly to you protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petition in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
2
Our Lady, Health of the sick, pray for us. Saint Raphael, the Archangel, pray for us. Saint Rock, pray for us. Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us. Saint Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
3 4
PRAY OVER, SHEPHERDING AND HEALING (POSH) Need prayers for healing, for that job or exam, to pay off debts and other requests? Email us at thefeastermita@gmail.com
REMINDERS WHEN ISSUING A CHECK FOR LOVE OFFERING Payable to: - The Builder of the Light of Jesus Family Mega Manila Feast Bay Area, Inc. Union Bank Account No. 000-40-002485-8 - No erasures or alteration
THE BUILDERS: Adrian Panganiban | John Ben Rodriguez Council Heads: Mayvin Alejandro, Gigi Alvarez, Mon Bumatay Feast Ermita Bulletin Staff: Media Heads: Ryan Alejandro, Joemer Ernn Embernate Editor-in-Chief: Judee Quiazon Editorial Assistant: Krystel Ramos-Tobias Writers: Mark Nevado and Jaela Prado Contributing Writer: Mon Bumatay Layout Artist: Jaela Prado Contributing Photographer: Joriz Espino
FOLLOW US @THEFEASTERMITA