God.is.not.gone

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2009-07-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

title:Two by Two
date: 05.22.2009
location: Hike to Twin Falls, Maui, Hawaii

From Today's gospel:
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey...

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2009-07-05T11:34:00.000-07:00

title:Weakness and strength
date: ?
location: medical center, san francisco

From Today's 2nd Reading:
but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness."
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.

12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

2009-06-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

title:Calm the storm
date:circa spring 2006
location: Carnelion Room, San Francisco

From Today's Gospel
Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?"
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
"Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"

6th Sunday of Easter

2009-05-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

title: Sing Praise
date taken: 05.15.09
location: Mt. Angel Abbey, St. Benedict, Oregon

From Today's Psalm:
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

4th Sunday of Easter

2009-05-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

title: God's Children Now
date taken: circa spring 2008
location: Starbuck's Coffee Shop, Benicia, California
From LG VX9700 cameraphone. edited in Gimp

From Today's Readings:
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;

3rd Sunday of Easter

2009-04-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

title:Asleep, at peace
date taken: Circa March 2006
location: Anaheim, California

From today's Psalm:
As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep,
for you alone, O LORD,
bring security to my dwelling.

commentary: Pictures of people sleeping are often funny, but also always carry a sense of peace, solace. It is as if the people sleeping, taking their rest, are not bothered nor distracted by the things in this world. In parallel, so is the life of one who rests in Christ. If we rest in Him, we will find peace, and the trappings of this world will not occupy us.

“Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine” - St. Thomas Aquinas

Resting in Christ, baptism, and the Blood of the Cross? St. Thomas probably didn't mean it that way, but nevertheless, I thought it might make for an interesting reflection.

P.S. Sorry Lor and Ang, but it was the only sleeping picture I could find on my computer... and I wasn't going to fake one of myself.

Palm Sunday

2009-04-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

title: Set My Face
date taken:01.18.09
location: Walk For Life West Coast, San Francisco, California

Today's First Reading:
The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
that I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

5th Sunday of Lent

2009-03-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

title:Wash Me
date taken:12.21.08
location: St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Vallejo, California

From Today's Psalm:
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.

4th Sunday of Lent

2009-03-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

title:[untitled]
date:04.22.09
location: St. Joseph Marello Youth Center, Loomis, CA
Photograph Taken by: A Devigal

From This Sunday's Gospel:
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

3rd Sunday of Lent

2009-03-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

title:The Weakness of God
date taken: 12.19.2008
location: Crypt of the Cathedral of Light, Oakland, California

From Today's Readings:
Brothers and sisters:
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

commentary:
sometimes, i should just let the Word of God speak for itself: the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Second Sunday of Lent

2009-03-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

title:Obedience
date: summer 2008
location: US Pilgrims Mass, Sydney, Australia

From today's reading:
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth
shall find blessing—
all this because you obeyed my command.

commentary: Hands held together palm to palm, aka prayer hands, has been a common prayer posture for thousands of years, even practiced by pre-Christian Jews. This posture symbolizes obedience, fidelity, loyalty.

In the first reading today, we read that Abraham finds blessing with God because he obeyed His command. I remember reflecting at the beginning of this year, that this year would be a year of obedience. It has been tough so far. And parallelly it has only been through prayer that I even get close to being obedient to God.

When we look further into the history of this prayer posture we see this deeply moving connection. As highlighted by Pope Benedict in his book "The Spirit of Liturgy," obedience goes Hand-in-Hand [pun intended] with trust:

The recipient of a feudal estate, on taking tenure, placed his joined hands in those of his lord - a wonderful symbolic act. I lay my hands in yours, allow yours to enclose mine. This is an expression of trust as well as of fidelity.

How amazing it would be, if we prayed this way... I lay my hands in yours.

Now, next time you bring your hands together in prayer, maybe it will mean so much more. I know it has for me.

First Sunday of Lent

2009-03-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

title:Death in the flesh
date: February 5, 2008
location: Outback Steakhouse, Pinole, Ca
Shot with camera phone

From Today's readings:
Beloved:
Christ suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.

commentary:So, this isn't the most deeply moving image that has appeared on this blog. I know. Work with me. See, this is a picture of my own personal Carnevale, farewell to the flesh, for last year's Lent. Man, was that good. And I remember being only ~~weeks~~ days into Lent, with this picture on my phone, and I was just salivating - almost viciously craving meat.

Today is the First Sunday of Lent. Many of us probably aren't "suffering" for what we gave up yet. Maybe some of us are, others may have broken their Lenten promises already. Me? Yes, I'm craving meat already. But it's okay. More than my physical needs, I know this Lent is going to be challenging for spiritual needs. I want to do what the Gospel calls today, put to death the flesh, and live in the spirit. Let me share with you a reflection that has helped me get through my cravings of the flesh. Remember, whilst you crave things of this world, Christ craves you.

And hopefully, when Easter comes, you won't run as quickly as you can to that snickers bar, or to that secular music or to that sin you so deeply lust for. Maybe, just maybe, you will run as quickly as you can to the empty tomb. With great anticipation and a pounding heart, hopefully, we will all run to the Risen Christ.

Crave Christ.

Happy Lent Sisters and Brothers.

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

2009-02-21T22:53:00.001-08:00

title: Reflection of Home.
date:circa spring 2005
location: New York, New York

From Today's Gospel:
"Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?'
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
—he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.

commentary:
How many of us have been "healed" by God in our lives? Or how many of us have had a miraculous experience of God in our lives? Or even simpler, how many of us remember the time, the day, the retreat, the event when God became real to us?

Now, think of how we responded. Or better yet, what did God ask us to do in response. Today's gospel is a reminder of what God truly wants of us. Nothing special. All he wants us to do is "go home."

I took this picture during the Spring of 2005, when I was dealing with the end of a long-term relationship. I remember looking up at the clouds that day, amidst the busy urban streets of New York City - looking at all the buildings, all the shops, all the business, all the worldliness and asking God "is there not more to life than this?" His response in my heart: "There is. Go home. Long for home. Long for heaven."

So sisters and brothers, rise, pick up your mats, and go home.

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

2009-02-15T00:46:00.000-08:00

title: balance.
date: circa summer 2007.
location: some restaurant in santa cruz.

From today's Readings:
Brothers and sisters,Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the church of God,just as I try to please everyone in every way,not seeking my own benefit but that of the many,that they may be saved.Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Commentary:

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” - Thomas Merton

bah. balance is tough... but even when you think you are gonna become unbalanced or lose control. He makes it work... even what might seem impossible, becomes possible through Him. What is the best way to achieve balance. Have a center. A focus. An apex, source, summit. We are reminded of this call to balance by today's second reading, when St. Paul says, "whatever you do,do everything for the glory of God." Focus on this and the rest will follow. AMDG brothers and sisters.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2009-02-08T13:10:00.000-08:00

title: freedom
date: 02.17.2008
location: st. catherine of siena parish hall [lenten recollection]

From Today's Second Reading:
Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.
All this I do for the sake of the gospel,
so that I too may have a share in it.

commentary: [I apologize for the momentary hiatus last week, I was in the Philippines on account of my grandmother receiving her eternal reward]

I am humbled always by the honesty of people when they come to retreats or recollections. This photo was taken last year during the lenten recollection we had. It was a small/short day for the youth and young adults to take a "break" from the world, and reflect more on their lives during the season of Lent. This picture was from an activity where every person wrote down something that they wanted from God on one side of a card and something that was keeping them from accomplishing that, or something they wanted to get away from on the other side. The author of this card is a mystery to me, but to this day I still have it in my possession - I actually have all the cards from that day still, and often find myself flipping through them and praying for the people who wrote them. They are reminders of the struggles and joys, and truly the hope that the people of God have, and they allow me to meditate on themes such as love, loneliness, and in this case freedom.

The notion of freedom is something that we all seem to want, but often times we don't know what that means, what it is that we really want. St. Paul gives us a different perspective of that in today's reading. He reminds us of the great responsibility and power in our freedom. "Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible." It echoes the great paradox of God who is all free and all-powerful, yet still, he slaved himself to us. What a beautiful a thing. What a challenge. What will you do with your freedom?

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

2009-01-25T04:35:00.000-08:00

title: Proclaim The Gospel
date taken: 01.26.08
location: San Francisco, a hill overlooking the Marina Green

From Today's Gospel:
Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
"Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

commentary: Maaan, look at all those people. I am writing this post in advance, and hopefully if things happen as they should I would have attended the West Coast Walk for Life again this year (yesterday). That picture is from last year's walk. I think it's a beautiful picture, and a beautiful reminder of God's presence in our time, and in the Bay Area. Many people would consider San Francisco as hostile territory to hold a Walk for Life celebrating the sanctity of all human life, especially with the city's unabashed reputation for being a pro-choice town. BUT still, 23,000+ showed up to show their support for LIFE. How apropos as we celebrate the conversion of St. Paul this weekend, and his jubilee year. He went and proclaimed the gospel to hostile territory as well. Maybe hearts were changed last year, and scales dropped off eyes. Maybe the same happened this year. Whatever the case may be, we still continue to "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time:

2009-01-18T10:17:00.000-08:00

title: Body
date taken: february 18, 2008, 1:30am
location: Kaiser Hospital, Vallejo, California

From Today's Second Reading:
Do you not know that your body
is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been purchased at a price.
Therefore glorify God in your body

The Baptism of Our Lord

2009-01-11T00:48:00.000-08:00

title:Thirst
date: 07.21.08
location: Melbourne, Australia

From Today's Responsorial Psalm (Option 2):
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.

The Epiphany of Our Lord

2009-01-04T00:20:00.000-08:00

title: Gather
date: July 19, 2008
location: Sydney, Australia
Photo Taken by: Angela Rubang

From Today's First Reading:
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

commentary:
I remember walking up this hill on our pilgrimage walk to Randwick racecourse, and the song "gather us in" was running through my head. The rich and the haughty, lost and forsaken, the proud and the strong, the meek and the lowly. That was the emotion of that day. All - every nation, every tribe - were coming to meet Christ, and as we did also at WYD 2005... "We come to worship Him".

Just like in today's feast, the feast of the Epiphany... the Feast of the 3 Magi.

If we encounter Christ like the magi, humbly, and in worship, and our lives will change... Like the magi did, we just might find a new route HOME - living our lives "by another way".

Solemnity of the Holy Family

2008-12-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

title:Put on love
date taken: Lent 2008
Taken With: LG VX 9900
location: Yo Sushi, Fairfield, California

From Today's Readings:
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.

commentary:
So this photo is of something that I see every now and again. I took this picture last Lent, and it gave me a chance to reflect. Although it isn't much, just a simple photo of a sushi roll from one of my fave sushi hangouts, it makes me smile whenever I see it. Today is the Solemnity of The Holy Family, and this picture does indeed relate.

See last Lent, when I was going through a spiritual drought, I stopped by Yo Sushi with some friends, and I sat down in front of the menu, and I saw "Fiona" my sister's name. It reminded me of her, so I decided to call her. After our short conversation, I was reminded of how blessed I am to have the family I have. Uncle Bobby in his homily said today, "there are holy families in our midst." Now, I am not saying my family is Holy, we struggle, we all have our shortcomings, but we strive. And I am blessed. My family always has my back, and I have theirs. I know for a fact that I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for my family. In relation to me, I feel that they really have "put on love". Yea, we're different, we play different parts, but we are still family. Kinda like a sushi roll.

The picture reminds me of them. A reminder that God is not Gone.

4th Sunday of Advent

2008-12-21T12:16:00.000-08:00

title: Behold!
date: Lent 2006
location: St. Catherine of Siena Parish, vallejo, california

From the Gospel Reading:
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.

3rd Sunday of Advent

2008-12-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

title:Testify to the light
date taken: July 21, 2008
location:St. Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, Australia

From Today's Gospel:
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
-- John 1: 6-9

commentary: As noted, this was taken at St. Paul's Cathedral one day after the World Youth Day celebrations ended. I lit 3 candles that day. The number 3 holds a lot of significance for me, you know, the whole I am 3rd thing... but on that day, I lit a candle for the intentions of all those who asked us to pray for them, another for my family, and one for my dear friends. The prayer for my family and friends? That they would welcome the light of Christ into their hearts joyfully. A fitting picture for the 3rd Sunday of Advent isn't it?

Second Sunday of Advent

2008-12-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

title:prepare
date:Saturday, September 06, 2008
location:Oregon Coastline, near a boy scout camp
camera: LG vx9700

From today's Gospel:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.”
--Mark 1: 2

commentary: that photo was taken during our college beach weekend at the seminary, we were carrying wood from nearby, in order to prepare a bonfire (you can see the shadow of the wood we were carrying). We were working in order to be ready for the events to come later on that evening. As the second reading reminds us: Work, but be ready, for the day of the Lord will come like a thief.

Lord, give us work until our life is over, and life until our work is done.

First Sunday of Advent

2008-11-30T00:06:00.000-08:00

title: watch!
when: 9.26.08 6:13am
location: on top of a hill, redding, california, just outside of a house we were invited to stay at

from today's Gospel:
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!
-- Mark 13:35-37

commentary:
This picture is the first picture of this new blog. How fitting that it would be a sunrise. Many of you know I have a fascination with sunsets and sunrises. and yes i did the one handed myspace selfshot for this one. ignore me, and focus on the majesty of the sunrise. It is the first Sunday of Advent, and the Gospel reminds us to "Watch!". Brothers and Sisters, watch for the rising of The Son.

be God's.