This is "Bro's" journey with our Courage group. This guy never fails to inspire all of us especially when it is his time to share in our sharing meetings. For me personally, "Bro" is inspirational because he struggles like most of us do and yet his life continues to be a strong witness and testimonial to the power of grace at work and the power of prayer in keeping him chaste for more than a year now. Way to go "Bro!"
A Journey with Sacred Heart of Jesus & Immaculate Heart of Mary
Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for HE has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness. Behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly." Ito ang mga katagang binanggit ng ating Mahal na Ina na si Maria nung nalaman niya na mananahan sa kanya si Jesus. Gaya niya buong galak kung masasabi sa buong taon na ito totoo nga naman nanahan sa akin ang Panginoong Hesus at tunay nga naman namunga ito ng masagana. Kahit ako sa sarili ko ay namamangha at nagugulat sa aking sarili kung paano ako binago at hinubog ni Jesus bilang maging isang matatag na Kristiyano.
Hayaan ninyo ako balikan ang aking mga kahinaan hindi para ipagmalaki kundi matuto sa aking mga pagkakamali at muling bumangon sa pagkakabagsak. Aaminin ko dati ay nagpupunta ako sa mga lugar na di dapat, ang sobrang self-abuse sa sarili ko, at ang pagtingin sa mga pornographic materials. Oo masarap at masasabi ko nagenjoy ako pero ang kapalit na sandali na kaligayahan ay punong-puno ng guilt sa isip at sa puso at pangliliit ng tingin sa sarili ko. But with God’s grace and mercy all of these changes into the fruits of the Spirit that produces love, peace, joy, kindness, patience, meekness, goodness, obedience, and self-control. I thank God because of His help to me. He used my spiritual director to be an instrument para makilala ang Courage family ko na masasabi kong malaki ang naitulong at nagawa sa akin para lubos ko makilala ang tunay na ako at higit sa lahat makilala si Hesus bilang aking tunay na hari at tagapagligtas.
As I journey with my Courage family, I can really say that I learned a lot from them, most especially during the sharing meetings and experienced the real presence of Jesus during the Sacrament Sundays, fellowships, retreats, and prayer meetings where all of us as one family kneel and bow down before the Blessed Sacrament, recognizing our nothingness and sinfulness to Him. I thank God because my Courage family gives me the strength para mas lalo ko pa ma-i-explore ang journey ko with Jesus. Ito ay nung nawala na ang takot ko humarap sa taon ung naging lector ako sa simbahan namin at di ko malilimutan sa kaunaunahang pagkakataon na kumanta ako ng solo nung Easter Vigil.
Higit sa lahat binigyan nila ako ng lakas para tuparin ang isa sa mga pangarap ko na pumasok sa seminaryo, at ito ay naganap last April 19, 2009, Feast of the Divine Mercy. Kahit sa maiksi kong pag-stay dun at di man natuloy ang dream ko maging pari di ko pinanghihinayangan ang pagstay ko dahil mas dumami ang aking mga tunay na kaibigan at mas lalo kong natutunan pahalagahan ang vow of obedience, poverty, and chastity. Masasabi ko hindi na naging madali ang lahat ng mga trials at temptations na na-experience ko pero sa kabila nito eh hindi ko naramdaman na nag-iisa ako sa Laban na ito dahil sa love and support ng Courage family.
Just recently I suffered from depression at naisip kung kumalas na sa Courage at bumalik sa dati kung makasalanang gawain. Pero bakit ba di ko kayang masaktan si Hesus? Siguro nga masasabi kong mas minahal ko na si Hesus higit sa aking sarili. Tanong nga ng isa nating brother, “Have you already experienced the suffering of Jesus on the Cross?” And I realized it cannot be measured by only one year of chastity and I should not be boastful because it happens for the reason of God’s grace and not just my own strength and effort. I learned that this spiritual warfare is not my fight but I place and offer it to God’s hands and will.
Once again with a joyful heart I thank God because I am really blessed because he gave me a very supportive family, true friends and unforgettable and learning experience together with our Lord Jesus and Mama Mary.
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