02.10.19 | Sunday | 9:00AM | Cinema 3, Robinsons Place Manila
Love Love Love Since V-Day is just around the corner, let me share with you some “hugot” lines that many of us can relate with as we become a little “cheesy” this coming day for lovers. “Dalawang beses lang kita makasama: Now and Forever.” “Ang pagmamahal ko sa iyo ay parang Bilbil, pilit ko mang itago, pero halata pa rin.” “Hindi naman tayo naglalaro ng tagu-taguan, pero bakit hinahanap-hanap kita.” “Ang pag-ibig ko sayo ay parang relo, parating pakanan, never kakaliwa.” “Suicide, Homicide, Insecticide! Lahat na lang pamatay. Pero kung gusto mo ng pang habang buhay, i-try mo ang BY MY SIDE!” Madaling sabihin at kaysarap pakinggan. Ngunit ang tanong, “Paano ka makakasigurado at kung hanggang kailan?” Pero kay Lord, wala kang dapat patunayan. Anuman ang mangyari, kahit anupaman ang panahon -- pasko, birthday o Valentine’s Day -- mahal ka niya... maging sino ka man! Be Blessed, ADRIAN PANGANIBAN
Willing to Wait “Sir, willing to wait po kayo? Ten minutes pa po yung nuggets.” Inis na inis ako sa tuwing maririnig ko ito. Kaya nga kayo fast food, ‘di ba? It defeats the purpose if I have to wait so long for my order. But there was one particular time when I did not hear this. Siyempre nagulat ako at natuwa. “Yehey! Sa wakas walang paghihintay para sa nuggets at fries.” Ngunit pagkagat ko sa nuggets, hindi na ito malutong tulad ng bagong luto. The fries, on the other hand, was soft and soggy. I did not enjoy my meal that day. Natutunan ko na minsan pala may mga bagay na okay lang hintayin. Because waiting allows you to receive the best possible result. Waiting is not always equal to wasting time. After that incident, every time I order I tell the cashier, “Miss, yung bagong lutong fries and nuggets ha? I’m willing to wait.” I believe that God is sometimes like that. It takes time before He grants our prayers. Lalo pa kung ito ay tungkol na sa taong ipinagdarasal mong maging iyo. Kasi minsan niluluto ka pa niyang maigi katulad ng paghahanda nya sa inaasam mong pag-ibig. So that when He is done, you will be ready and equipped. Tandaan mo, mahirap ang hilaw na relasyon. More than His promise, God is asking you to trust His process. Have a blessed Feast today. In Christ, JOHN BEN RODRIGUEZ
Talk 2: Disordered Priorities “’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” –Ephesians 5:31-32 NIV “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33 NIV “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” –John 17:26 NIV
TODAY’S READINGS First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 Psalms: Psalm 138:1-8 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Gospel: Luke 5:1-11
BLESSING BLOG How God Has Written My Love Story Ryan shares his story of finding Mayvin, his wife, that leads to his discovery of The Feast and a deeper relationship with God. I came out of a 4-year relationship that ended sourly so I dated different girls just to cope up with my devastated heart. Been there. Done that. I begged, “Please, bro. Not anymore. I’m tired.” “She’s different. Give it a shot,” my friend insisted. “Okay. But no promises.” Sigh. My friend gave me her number and so I reluctantly texted her. I honestly wasn’t interested. After all, all girls were the same. The pain from my previous relationship was unbearable and I couldn’t move on. But, apparently, my friend was right. This woman was different. It was 2005. Eye-ball was a thing at that time. It’s when you meet someone you don’t really know. What I thought would be a one-time date became consistent and eventually turned into something deeper. We became a couple after a month of dating. Mayvin introduced me to the Feast. At first, I was hesitant to take part in a gathering held outside the traditional church. Admittedly, however, there was an unexplainable joy within me after my first session of celebrating God’s Word at The Feast. It was surprising at first. I noticed some people crying. I wondered, “What’s wrong with these people? They sure have a lot of issues.” Later on, I found myself in a situation beyond my control. Desperately crying, I begged for a miracle at the Feast. As I surrendered and prayed for God’s help, I heard God’s voice saying, “Everything is going to be alright. I got your back, son.” Then, there was a sudden calm within. I felt tranquility flowing through my body. I felt peace. Never again did I laugh at people crying during prayer and worship. And I was grateful for Mayvin for introducing me to this special place. Our journey as a couple wasn’t easy. During our relationship as boyfriend-girlfriend, we had some petty fights that intensified to more let’s-get-it-on fights. We shouted at each other, we cried at each other, but at the end of it all, we chose to stay with each other. We got married in 2011 and continued to struggle as husband and wife for the first two years. We were a lion and a tigress during our first year. I even told her I’d send her back to her parents while still eligible for the warranty. And also, I’d demand a refund for our marriage expenses. With God’s grace and our unconditional love for one another, we managed to get through. I thank God that we are servants at The Feast Ermita. The prayer community teaches us that relationships needed a lot of work for it to last. There will be times when you need to die to yourself, to swallow your pride, and to let go and give way to your partner. It also teaches us to see the beauty within our partners and focus on that. As they say, “what you focus on, grows.” I never imagined that I will be in this place, happily serving with my wife. We’ve been serving together at The Feast for five years now. After seven years of marriage, we are recently blessed with our firstborn, Yeshua Ruhan Cruz Alejandro. It will be another wonderful journey with discoveries and challenges as new parents and we will embrace it with joy and gratefulness.
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SCENES FROM LAST SUNDAY “You are His.” RECAP Looking for Mr. and Ms. Right Talk 1: Disordered Perspective Before entering a relationship, we are encouraged to work on our relationship with oneself. Else, we may end up in a bad relationship. The story about the prophet Josea and Gomer, a prostitute, reminds us to build your spiritual marriage to God. God reminds us that whatever we do, wherever we go, He will pursue us because He loves us despite our brokenness. For the single people: Some people enter the wrong relationship because of the wrong perception of who they are. Remember you are a person of beauty and dignity. It is important to see yourself as worthy and not seek your worth from others. We attract who we think we deserve. Look at yourself the way God sees you. Receive His healing love to repair your brokenness to prepare you in a relationship. For couples planning to get married: Some marriages happened because they think it will heal their wounds. On the contrary, you carry excess baggage and marriage will be difficult. The reality is, you alone can heal your wounds. For married couples: Do not expect your spouse to satisfy your love needs completely. You may be sending your marriage to intense frustration because of your wounds. What you might be seeking from your spouse is what you are supposed to look from God. There are four sources of healing love: family, Church, self, and above all, God. The Lord will wait for you until you are ready to receive His love. No matter how broken you are, He will always run after you.
HOMILY Gospel Reading according to Luke 4:21-30
“Share the love of God to everyone.” - Fr. Boogie Tacdoro We continue to experience the love of God by virtue of baptism because the Lord called us by name. Saint Paul is telling us that everything is grounded in the love of God. If we continue to be grounded in the love of God, we will flourish in our charism and be fruitful with our ministry. Allow the love of God to be in you so that you will be happy and fruitful in your ministry. Every act of kindness and love will make the whole world a loving community. The love of God is beyond the extraordinary. Let us continue to highlight the love of God in daily events of our lives. Let others experience the love of God and let us be the bearers of God’s love.
ANSWERED PRAYERS For the gift of life. For sending your angels to watch over us especially when my husband Raffy was in the ICU. Thank you for his continous healing. Thank you for sending people who prayed with us and stayed with us during this time of trials. For the strength, courage, financial provisions and hearing my prayers - anonymous For the good sales and success of our “Santol” property. For good health of body, mind and spirit - Eva Tamayo Thankful to be here at the Feast Ermita to receive God’s blessings and later on be a blessing in my immediate family - Lourdes Sy
For all the blessings. Guidance and protection for Bro. Adrian and JB’s inspiring messages and sharing - Josephine Helal For waking me up everyday. For surrounding me with good friends and acquaintances. For giving me good health inspite of all my classmates and friends having the flu - Angela Nicole Garing For the generosity of those who share their blessings for Feast Ermita - anonymous
MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER Foundation Or Furniture? I’ve been married to the same beautiful woman for 20 years. After analyzing how we survived (and thrived) through all our dizzying ups and downs, I’ve discovered the secret why we made it this far: Shockingly, there was a third party. I loved someone more than I loved her. I know. You’ve heard this before. Perhaps in weddings you’ve attended. But no matter how cliché it may sound, this is bedrock truth that singles and couples need to ask themselves: Is God the foundation of your house—or is He a nice furniture that can come and go? Today, we’ll explore this beautiful mystery. Have an awesome Feast! May your dreams come true, BO SANCHEZ
THE BUILDERS: Adrian Panganiban | John Ben Rodriguez Council Heads: Mayvin Alejandro, Gigi Alvarez, Mon Bumatay
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Feast Ermita Bulletin Staff: Media Heads: Ryan Alejandro, Joemer Ernn Embernate Editor in Chief: Judee Quiazon | Editorial Assistant: Krystel Ramos-Tobias Associate Editor: Naddy Sanchez | Copy Editors: Juliann Silva, Jerome Tobias Writer: Mark Nevado Chief Photographer: Ryan Carlo Mahinay Photographer: Kirk Marcus Garing Layout Artist: Robert Quiazon, Wilma Cosme Contributing Photographer: Dahlia Bagatsing