RJVM's Journey with Courage

Annual Report to the King of Kings, our Lord Jesus Christ: A Year of God’s Grace and Victory by RJVM


It is God's plan and time indeed as we look back what happened to our precious lives this year 2010. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King and let me share to all of you how our King works through me and to my loved ones. It started all when I dreamt last December 25, 2009. I can say it is a very unusual dream because I am dreaming in a dream. But what is important is an angel of God appeared to me and told me that “Huwag kang malulungkot at maraming pang graces ang darating sa iyo”. In that dream I remember the story of Zechariah. Nung una ang tanong ko sa aking sarili, maniniwala ba ako o hindi – buti na lang hindi ako literally nabulag but instead I became blind to “sin”. I thought you can get the blessings through material things but I was wrong, it is more on spiritual blessings.

As I look back this year, I claim that this dream is indeed true. My everyday trials and temptations I can say that I have won and surpassed all of it, because I believe that God is on our side. As Job says “the life of man upon earth is a continual warfare”, conflict no matter how far we are advanced in the spiritual life, we must never expect immunity from temptation, from ups and downs. I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to Himself. Of course, I really do not think that I have already won it, the one thing I do, however is to forget and learned what is behind me and do my best with God’s grace to reach what is ahead. It is an image of my spiritual life which entails effort, exertion and often exhaustion. Our Lord says “Work out your salvation, and strive to enter the narrow gate”. He wants effort, untiring effort. At the end of my day, I am inspired with the words of St. Paul and let me share it with all of you: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”.

Our only weapon to win the battle against Satan is very basic to do but often we forget and that is persistent prayer life. Why do you think the devil is afraid to see you pray? When you go to Mass or confession, when you pray in the morning and evening, when you thank Him for all the blessings He gave to us, and when you pray the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary – the devil’s knees shake, because every time you pray a little bit of you becomes a little bit of God, you are becoming like Jesus. And the devil is afraid of God. He runs away when he sees God but more than looking like Jesus – to know how to converse with Jesus is a great art, to know how to keep Jesus in our heart is the greatest prudence. Be humble and peaceful and Jesus will live in your heart. Be devout and quiet, and Jesus will remain with you. It is better to have the whole world against us, than to have offended Jesus. And therefore, among all who are dear to you, let Jesus alone be your special friend.

Let this be an opportunity for me to thank our Lord Jesus and Mary for all the graces and in her maternal protection. To Saint Michael my personal trainor and to St. Padre Pio, St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Faustina their lives truly inspire me and the rest of the saints and angels I thank them for their powerful intercessions. To my family and loved ones for your untiring understanding and support. To my Courage family, for letting me feel that I am not alone on this lifetime battle – huwag sana kayo mapapagod at magsawang pakinggan ang paulit-ulit kong struggle. To my Catholic charismatic group and lectors’ guild for giving me the opportunity to serve on daily mass, as well as to our community for letting me share my talent which is singing by making me part of the choir. To Regina Coeli Healing Community for their continuous support and helping me to understand the healing of my family tree. Indeed the message of Mama Mary happened that her Immaculate Heart will triumph in my life. To all the SVD seminarians and missionaries, I will walk with you on your journey until you become priests. To all my priest-friends, most especially to Fr. Anthony, Fr. Dan, Fr. Dave and Fr. Mario for your continuous prayer and support. And lastly to all Pink Sisters who taught me to pray contemplative which is the essence of prayer – no words, no music, just a look of love.

Maraming salamat po ulit sa inyong lahat. Alam ko sa darating na taon mas lalo pa bubuhos and grasya ni Hesus at sana mas marami pa ako matulungan na gaya natin para magpatotoo na kaya natin to dahil kasama natin si Hesus at Maria.

Once again as I look back what happened this year 2010, I can say and let me borrow the words of our Blessed Mother Mary that “Behold from now on will all ages shall call me blessed”. On bended knees, I salute my Kind and your King, our Lord Jesus Christ.