Keep giving

Sign on a shoe repair store: “We will heel you, we will save your sole, and we will even dye for you.”

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In today’s Gospel (John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b – 45), Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He showed His power over sickness and over death itself. But it also showed the power of love for His friend Lazarus and compassion for Martha and Mary. It was all about the power of love over any human condition.

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Jesus’ whole life was filled with life-giving and love-giving moments. May our lives, too, be a constant movement toward spreading life and love to as many as we can, in any way we can, as long as we can.

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While we cannot raise people from the dead, let us continue to make people come alive by giving hope, joy, affirmation, and encouragement. May our encounter with people help them to rise up from their woes, miseries, and sinfulness. How? By radiating the love, compassion, and joy of our Risen Lord.

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Last week, an elderly lady looked at me and said: “Masuwerte ang ilong mo” (Your nose is lucky). I was quite amused and surprised! She told me that the shape and size of my nose is a lucky charm. What?! For the first time, I heard something positive about my nose, which I have always hoped would have been higher and leaner. Wow, it was a life-giving moment for me! I am happy now with my nose, finally, at 69!

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“And Jesus wept.” So consoling to know that our Lord has a heart that feels, a heart that relates, a heart that gets involved with us. Our God is a God who is not cold, distant, uncaring, or transactional. We have a God who knows, cares for, and loves us. Amazing!

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Live a life filled with life-giving moments. All the work we do, all the services we give, all the talks and wisdom we share, and even the prayers we offer, are empty, vain, and shallow if we do these without love in our hearts. The bottom line question is: Did I fill the world with love?

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“Take away the stone.” Is there any stone (s) that must be taken away from your life so that you can come out from your “tomb”? What is it that imprisons you and prevents you from being truly happy? Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to help us see what we need to let go of and to give us the strength to let God remove “stones” that make us unhappy.

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“Lazarus, come out!” The Lord calls each one of us every day to come out of our comfort zones and let go of our pride and selfishness. Discipleship is a constant leaving of what is dearest to us and following the Master wherever He leads us. May we trust Him more and worry less. May we follow Him more humbly, more joyfully, more gratefully, and in more hidden ways, like Mama Mary.

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On my recent trip to the US, I sought out and prayed over a friend who had a massive stroke and who lost a lot of his memory. Prior to that, he and his wife had some marital problems. But the wife never stopped loving and caring for him. I just heard the news that the other day, he looked at his wife, mentioned her name, and said: “I am sorry for hurting you for a long time. I love you.” Just like that! It is love that heals. It is love that remembers. It is love that brings us back to life.

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Inviting you for our first Saturday 9 a.m. Mass at the Sanctuary of the Divine Word on April 1, 2023, at Christ the King Seminary, 1101 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City.

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Warning: Please don’t respond to any appeal for financial assistance in my name, or for Fr. Jerry Orbos Ministry online. Thank you.

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A moment with the Lord. Lord, may our lives be filled with life-giving and love-giving moments. Amen.

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