03.17.19 | Sunday | 9:00AM | Cinema 3, Robinsons Place Manila
Enter into your 40-day personal retreat
Leader Of The Band As a tribute to his father, Dan Fogelberg has written this song and it goes, “My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man... I am a living legacy to the leader of the band.” We may admit it or not, but I truly believe that there’s a spirit of leadership in each of us. We look up to leaders and people who have inspired us in more ways than one. It may be a hard act to follow, but because it has made an impact on our lives, we follow their lead. A living example is our parents whom we consider our top influencers. But the greatest of them all is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Be Blessed, Adrian Panganiban P.S. I’m back here in Holy Land for the nth time. My prayer is that you’ll all make it here in the nearest future, bringing your prayer intentions and petitions.
Hindi Lang Ako Ito Lumaki po ako sa mahirap na pamilya. Naalala ko kung paano ako natutong manahi at magsulsi ng butas na medyas at damit. Sabi nga ng mga magulang ko, “Di baleng luma ang damit, basta malinis!” I remember when I badly wanted a certain toy, I had to save money for it. Kaya naman lumabas ang creativity ko. Nagbenta ako ng samu’t saring bagay para makaipon. Madalas din akong mainggit sa mga kalaro kong mayayaman noon. Kasi naman, lahat ng bago at uso ay meron sila. This fueled me to strive well and excel in my studies. I really wanted to have a better life when I grow up. In the past few years, I took pride when people called me a selfmade man. Much to my delight, my earnings bought me a house and provided for the needs of my mother. I also raised enough funds for a wonderful wedding. But lately I’ve realized that there is no such thing as a self-made man. Hindi pala lahat ng tagumpay ay dahil sa aking pagsisikap. Malaki ang naitulong ng sakripisyo ng aking mga magulang. Tinipid nila ang para sa sariling pangangailangan dahil mas inisip nila ang aking kapakanan. Knowing this, I now see my success as a perfect blend of God’s grace, my efforts, and the sacrifices of the people who have helped me. I’m not a self-made man. I am a man standing on the shoulders of those who lifted me up.
That is what we will learn today. How a great leader sacrifices to lift others up.
Have a blessed Feast today.
In Christ, John Ben Rodriguez
TODAY’S READINGS First Reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 Psalms: Psalms 27:1, 7-9, 13-14 Second Reading: Philippians 3:17--4:1 Gospel: Luke 9:28-36
Start Your Retreat on Wednesday Make Lent your time to go deeper with God. For the next 40 days, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, your goal is to grow closer to Him. Here are 4 things you want to do for the next 40 days: 1. Connect with God daily and weekly. Every single day, connect with God for 10 to 15 minutes, praying and reading the Mass Readings (Use Didache, Companion, Sabbath or The Feast App). And yes, weekly, connect with God at the Feast. Stop missing the Feast for flimsy reasons like “It’s raining” or “I don’t feel like going”. And at any time during these next 40 Days, go back to basics. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (If you don’t know how, get help from Feasters.) 2. Watch our 40-Day Lenten Devotional Online. It’ll be on Facebook, YouTube, etc. It’s a 3-minute to 5-minute video that will connect all Feasters together in prayer. Sometimes, it’ll be an encouraging word, other times, it’ll be an uplifting song. Through this, you’ll be reminded of your 40-Day Personal Retreat. 3. End each day with profound gratitude. Before you sleep, write down 5 blessings you received that day. The simpler and more ordinary the blessing, the more you’ll be able to nurture the attitude of gratitude in your heart. 4. Bless one person a day. Someone who needs an experience of God’s love. It might just mean giving someone a listening ear, or visiting a friend who needs encouragement, or actually doing something practical, like babysitting kids for a night so the parents can have a date. Enjoy your 40-Day Personal Retreat! OPENING PRAYER TO YOUR PERSONAL RETREAT Lord, I consecrate my 40-Day Lenten Retreat to You. My goal is to grow closer to You. To take each step towards You. I won’t hide. I won’t pretend. I’ll come as I am. I’ll show You my mess. You’ll show me Your mercy. On my own, I can’t fix me, but I know your Spirit Can. For the next 40 Days, work in me. Saints of Heaven, pray for my 40-Day Lenten Retreat. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Talk 2: be a leader “Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.” –Nehemiah 1:2 “They said to me, ‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” –Nehemiah 1:3-4, emphasis provided
BLESSING BLOG Trusting God in Pursuing My Calling John James “JJ” Genove, 34 years old, finds his why and passionately pursuing it. As told to Krystel Tobias. At a young age, I engaged in socio-civic affairs as influenced by my family. Their different perspectives about our government and our leaders intensified my belief on having an inclusive economy where those who are financially underserved can have access to services. Finding My Why I realized my calling and found my purpose in life after participating in various trainings and workshops. I attended a John Maxwell live event called “Everyday Leadership” in 2016 where I met my marketing icon, Simon Sinek, who emphasized on starting with why. That’s when I discovered that my whys were not confined in the four corners of the office building where I work. I also read books on finding my personal calling and learned about my top strength, which is commanding, through Strengthsfinder. Embracing Change I was a regular employee in a telecommunications company for a long time. Despite the good salary, career growth, and a healthy and happy work environment, I decided to leave my corporate work around 2017 to further my cause for social equity. I became a consultant for mostly infrastructure and environmental projects and I found fulfilment in serving that need. Readjusting My Focus As a novice, I’ve had financial difficulties because I no longer receive a regular salary. I am now on my own. As a one-man team, I had to manage the demands of my multiple clients. Nonetheless, through all the struggles and trials, I’m always motivated to pursue my calling. As my wellness coach Luz Galvan once said to me: “Remove your eyes from pains and focus on God’s daily miracles in your life.” It starts with faith. I don’t have to understand where I’m going, but I trust God that He does. Grateful to have the support of The Feast Ermita in my journey.
Bro. JJ and wife are members of the Couples Ministry and Feast Video Emissaries Starting the year right with my family at Mt. Pulag Summit.
BLESSED BY THE FEAST? Share your story and inspire our community. Email to a1media.feastbayarea@gmail.com
2
SCENES FROM LAST SUNDAY
3
Where God leads us, grace, transformation, providence and mercy will always be there.
“Do you want to build your nation? Build your marriage first.” - Bro. A
“The real wealth of a nation are strong families.” - Bro. JB
“god created you special” RECAP TALK 1: CHOOSE A LEADER We build our nation through selfless leadership. Each of us play a role to make this country better. And as we desire transformation, God blesses us with a new heart. Our Filipino values are home-cooked in the slow fire of our families. We build the society when we take care of them. In a changing world, our children need these three rocks to anchor on: Rock One: God Introduce Jesus to them. His love is unchanging. God does not expect you to have perfect kids but He expects parents to raise them up in His ways. Rock Two: You Your child needs to know that your love is unconditional. If you want your kids to grow up to be a good-natured person, it should start from parents. Rock Three: Home Children will not seek love or attention from others when they have a solid foundation at home. For married couples, the best way to love your children is to love your spouse. For solo parents, your children will be healed. Believe that in separation, God will bring the best in you.
Gospel Reading According to Luke 4:1-13 Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness “During this Lenten season, do not punish yourself but rather do penance to prepare yourself to turn away from sin.” - Fr. Bob McConaghy Jesus went through a Lenten season not to punish himself but to prepare Himself for His ministry. The devil tempted his ego and offered Him shortcuts to give up the cross so people will remain arrogant and selfish. But Jesus, with His unconditional love for us, chose the cross to bring salvation to the world. Lent prepares ourselves to love others selflessly by turning away from sin. Enter into the suffering of someone else through the Ministry of the Ear. If you need to do one thing during this Lenten season as penance, simply say these three words to anyone who seems to want to talk to you: “Tell me more.” Listen. By the end of Lent, you will be kinder, more compassionate and loving person. Then you will happily renew your baptismal vows with great enthusiasm.
Welcome first-time attendees to The Feast Ermita! We’re glad you have joined us.
ANSWERED PRAYERS For all the answered prayers and now I’m starting to harvest the blessings you bestowed to us. For making us a channel of your graces. For guiding us not to stumble and not to give in into temptation - Jumai Umali
I finally had the courage to sign for my dream seminar and god provided money to pay for that too - Teza Lorraine Dela Pena
For all the blessings and being able to wake up to live my life and continue to strive - Janine Descalzo
Blessings and graces received. Success at work and school. For the opportunities that were given to us. For the sales of Chicharon. For the safety and good health of my family - JJ Arceo and family
For the good health of my family and friends. For the company of my elementary friends. For the financial blessings - Lyn Torres
Thank you for this day. For the privilege to serve you. For the wisdom, Joachim, family, friends and classmates. For the kindness of strangers, guidance and protection - Anonymous
MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER What Moves You To Sacrifice? At the Feast, all our leaders are bi-vocational. That means they serve in the ministry while running their own businesses or working full-time as speakers, authors, managers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. This set-up has worked beautifully. But the reason this works now is it’s built on a very different foundation. In the first 20 years of our history, our pioneering leaders, like Pio Español and Roy Pasimio, gave up cushy jobs and served God as full-time missionaries. They gave up high salaries and lived on survival allowances. They gave up their brand-new cars and drove old cars for years. Their sacrifice was immense. (And their sacrifice paid off: They were able to build Feasts all over the world.) To launch something off the ground, that kind of extreme sacrifice was needed. But now that we’re flying, it’s a bit easier because of momentum. Question: Why did those pioneers do it? They were moved. They found something worthy of that extreme sacrifice. In today’s Feast, I ask this question: What moves you? What moves you enough to sacrifice your all?
May your dreams come true,
BO SANCHEZ
1 first-time attendees Don’t go home without your welcome gift!
2 awesome kids Where children from 4 to 12 years old are made to understand the talk series.
3 feast light (feast video) Inspired by the talks? Share them to your family, friends and colleagues. Bring The Feast to your home, school or office today.
4 pray over, shepherding and healing (posh) 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 Associate Editor: Naddy Sanchez | Copy Editors: Juliann Silva, Jerome Tobias Writer: Krystel Ramos-Tobias Chief Photographer: Ryan Carlo Mahinay Photographer: Mark Earnswell Dimailig Layout Artist: Robert Quiazon Contributing Photographer: Charlene Gualberto
FOLLOW US @THEFEASTERMITA
Need prayers for healing, for that job or exam, to pay off debts and other requests? Come and visit the POSH Ministry.
5 reminders when issuing a check for love offering Payable to: - Light of Jesus Family Mega Manila, Inc. - No erasures or alteration
6
Be inspired. Be loved. Anytime, anywhere. Download The Feast App now