What is in a name?

I will just share some topic we had with Msgr. Venus our Spiritual Director of Loved Flock Charismatic Community. Fr. Venus, now Msgr. Venus, used to be our Parish Priest at St. John the Baptist Parish during Erap time, and in one of our Recollection, he asked this to us and part of our group sharing at the same time. He said, do you know the meaning of your name? We were given names by our parents, some was taken from the names of Saints, on the calendar, combination of names from our parents, relatives, friends or even brand names of things. Can you give me the meaning of your name? Everyone had the reflection of focusing on their name. I remember that since I grew up as an orphan at age 5, my foster parent used to call me LUZVIMINDA, as in the name of the country - Philippines...Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. But when I saw my birth certificate when I was in college, I found out that my name is LUZMINDA, so I need to file for correction of my name at the Department of Education for my Diploma. And then I put a meaning on this name: LUZ - which means Light and Minda - taken from the Promise Land of the Philippines -Mindanao. People closed to me calls me Minda while to the others it is Luz. While the first name that I used to be called Luzviminda I considered it as my Spiritual Name since I was inspired by the Spirit, Luz- which means Light, VI- is the Message to the Church in Philadelphia - 6 Lampstand in the Book of Revelation, besides VI- as in Visayas is a language, so therefore it is spoken..(the Lord has spoken) and Minda- the promised One. So when my turn came, I gave the group that reflection of mine. And Msgr. Venus was surprised because I gave the most meaningful name. Thank God He revealed the meaning of my name. Although in one of my dream He said: Luzminda - that name is known but many people do not know how to say it nor make a correct spelling on it. Because inside the church they will automatically put in my Certificates Luzviminda, in some cases they even change it to LuzVisMinda, Luvisminda and others. Thank you Lord for giving me a name and I will treasure that name till the end of time because that is Your gift to me. This is the Spiritual side of my name, Jesus carrying the flag. This is simply me.

Faith In Action

My first Baptism of the Spirit was with the Crusaders of Jesus, La Milagrosa , Cursillo Class No. 25, Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City, August 23-26, 1972. The name speaks for itself of what is to come. I was the Vice President of Batch 25 and the Leader of my Decuria Sta. Catalina, the Saint whom the Miraculous Medal was revealed. It was also the fulfillment of my obedience to the Lord of bringing back a lost soul to the fold. I learned how to give up power in replacement of act of salvation. For the whole class, we have one candidate who was a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, a well known sect who are against the Catholic religion. Their belief is that Jesus is a plain Man and is not a Son of God. They also believed that their founder Felix Manalo was an angel and a prophet. One day we had some discussion on matters about faith and she was challenging me about Jesus being the Son of God. I explained to her about the Trinity but if she wants to challenged me between Manalo and Jesus, I told her that I would not put the name of God in vain. But I did challenged her on matters of being “man” telling her that we will just compare Manalo to Rizal, at least they are both man. I told her that there were allegations among the Rizalistas that Rizal is alive, now, if she can prove to me that Manalo lived again after he died, then I will embrace her religion of being an INK, but if not, she has to be baptized as a Catholic before we leave this Cursillo Class. She told me that she will do it if she becomes the President of the Class. So when the election of officers came, I did not cast my vote, instead I voted her, giving her a 1 vote lead against me. So she became the President and I was her Vice President. After this election, she made true of her words and had her Baptism to the Catholic religion. I was so thankful because I was able to bring a lost soul to the Catholic church. It was my 3rd invitation in this Cursillo class, the first time was when I was 18 yrs old but it did not push through because I ran away from home. The same with the 2nd time, I also run away from home for reasons that I don’t want to be blamed and accused of spending money to enter the church formation, because the place was to be held in a province, and my foster parents especially my auntie would blame all the expenses that she will incurr in supporting me. I told them that if ever I would enter the Cursillo, I will see to it that it will be free in my behalf and out of my own conviction and freewill. And it happened, one day before I entered the Cursillo, I dreamed of my soul being taken by the devil, but I prayed and cast the devil away, at the same time, our house helper woke me up because she heard me shouting. No one knows that I was leaving to enter the Cursillo, I just took my things put it inside the bag and told them that I will be away, because I will enter the Cursillo and my office mate was the one who sponsored for my spiritual formation. They were all shocked with my decision, they do not know where I was going. The formation inside the Cursillo was just in time of God’s calling me, because it fulfilled the long awaited message that I received when I was 12 years old. I learned of what God planned for me and it was His plan of giving me a task to “bring back the lost soul to His fold – the Catholic Church.” It was a tough assignment, I cannot just do this alone, I need the Holy Spirit of God, the presence of the Blessed Virgin and Jesus to help me tackle on such an assignment. Nevertheless, I submitted to His Will, and there below the Cross of Jesus, I made my promise to do in humility and obedience, His task, even if it will cause my life, the way Rizal offered his life for the country…just be with me Lord and in me always, because without You I am nothing, let You Will be done according to Your words. During the lessons about the faith and all exams, I got good grades, nobody made me cry even the thought of not receiving any love letters from loved ones. Even the Mañanita, I just watched the system on how the class was being performed and how my fellow classmates are doing. Until graduation, the Heads of the Class were so amazed with me but when they serenaded my friend and me at their house, that was when I started to cry pitying myself that no one loved me after all except the people who accepted me as I am. When I went home, the good neighborhood was there waiting for me to arrive, they are the Cursillo members of the community. Since I know that they are waiting for me at the front door, I entered my way at the back door. And they were all caught by surprised, my childish attitude attacked me again of trying to play with them. They welcomed me, I accepted their presence and grateful enough to thanked them. And then I made my first trance, in front of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with hands stretched out I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to enter my body and give the message to the members of the family. They were all surprised with my message because I know I was not the one talking but the Spirit within me and the Spirit was asking my relatives from the sins that they have committed against God and telling them to repent of their wickedness and evil ways. And I overheard my auntie shouting at me: Why, are you God?” Even the friendly neighborhood were surprised at my actions and they cannot say anything because what they heard from me are true and cannot be contested. Because of this incident, my auntie told me to leave the house, which I followed. I went back to my friend’s house in Caloocan and stayed with them for more than 1 month. I began my prayer and fasting because God told me that I have to prepare myself for the task that I have to do. My office mate friend Norma was very much concerned of my health because she can see that I devoted myself in prayer, reading the Bible and fasting. Even in the office, they were so concerned with me but they cannot do anything because they really find me weird. There was a time that my foster father visited me in the office and beg me to come home, but I declined the offer, because I know that if I go back home I will not be able to do what God wanted me to do, and since I have committed myself, I need to finish the task that was given to me. Until one day September 21, 1972, Martial Law was declared at the same time, God woke me up in a dream and told me to write the letter of prophecy for President Marcos. It was a handwritten note that I made and which I brought to Malacañang all alone, with only my Sacred Heart image as my companion. My friend Norma do not know what I have written but all the messages are kept in my mind and heart. They were trying to stop me from doing it but hey cannot do anything because I am a stubborn person and a fighter. And when I finally delivered the letter I thanked God and said It is now finished Lord, thy will be done…and waited the result of such an act of fighting in a peaceful way the President of the country and hoping to carry the consequences of being put to prison for such an offense, which I have already conditioned myself that will happen in the future, in exchange for the fulfillment of the prophecy. And what I have written as a prophecy for the country during Marcos time came to fulfillment after 12 years up to the present…and is about to end. FAITH - is not a body ofconcepts but a life of obedience to the voice of God. It means YES, AMEN to the God who is full ofwisdom and love. The Amen is said not with the mind but with one's whole life. Applications: The understanding of the close connection between revelation and history has repercussions and consequences in our theological studies and pastoral actions. If revelation is historical, then theology, which is the reflection of the data of Divine Revelation, must also be historical. God of biblical revelation not only speaks but also acts. God reveals Himself not only by speaking but also by acting. Characteristics of Biblical Revelation (Is not myths, philosophy,not vision, not only creation but History) Revelation assumes credibility through some events. **Acts 2, 22...John 5,36-37 My testimony is greater than John's: the works my Father has given me to carry out, these same works of mine testify that the Father has sent me. **John 10, 37-38 If I am not doing my Father's work, there is no need to believe me; but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for sure that the Father is in me and I am in the Father. In this world of men, I have chosen Rizal as my inspiration in following an example of sacrificing oneself for the country. Though the tasked for me is of Divine reasons, men will find it impossible to believe since God is God and Jesus is the Son of God, though made Man to set an example for the people of His time, that until now the same words in the Bible is still happening. Rizal prefer to do changes in writing by the 2 books he has written to expose the anomalies and traditions of the old days, and still is happening today because of the colonial mentality of Filipinos who are rich and powerful, leaving behind the poor and those who live in poverty. Though I may not be as intelligent as Rizal but the actions of Rizal is worth dying for. This is my Sta. Catalina group. The lady beside me was the President who converted to Catholicism before we graduated. It's worth following the wish of the Lord. Soul uplifting indeed. In the end, it is always my Jesus, the Son of God who is my Master, my beloved Lord and God forever.

Faith - A Calling

I was baptized at San Nicolas Cathedral in our province on a Christmas day, 36 days after I was born. A common practice of catholic parents in compliance to following the Sacrament of Baptism as mandated by their catholic faith. My parents gave me a new life in Christ and forgiveness of sins through water and the Spirit and make me share in the Trinitarian divine life as adopted sons and daughters of God Almighty and bringing me as part of a community. When I was in Grade 3, I received my first communion after being taught by our Religion teacher and the most important thing that I learned from her was when she said that if I wanted to talk to God, I must talk to Him in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and He will listen to everything that I will say. And since before reaching my school, I pass the church first, I always make it a practice to make the sign of the cross in front of the church, vow my head and when I go home, I enter the church to talk to Him in the Blessed Sacrament and cry my heart out. And remember Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar when I hear mass and receive the Holy Eucharist during communion. My religion teacher taught us to pray the I Believe, the very core of our faith, Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be, the basic prayer when praying the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception. I had my Sacrament of Confirmation at the age of 18, I have chosen this age to receive my Gifts of the Holy Spirit from a Bishop. I felt I am matured enough to know, understand and develop my deep spiritual relationship with the Lord. I myself cannot really understand the meaning of my dreams when I was still a child. A question that becomes a mystery to me as a person. And I cannot erase in my memory my spiritual experience of going to Heaven, talking to the Blessed Virgin, the Immaculate Conception, seeing small Angels and hearing their angelic voices. I was 12 years old when I first encountered this mystery in my life, a divine revelation, an encounter with the Mystical life. I thought it was only a dream, a long travel of more than 3 hours of deep sleep. The story started in a walk on a big road which have 3 big holes lined up in a straight line. I was alone and only a voice guided me, and I was following what was told to me to do. On the first hole, I was advised to put my foot in it. There was this thought of what if it is deep, why is it black water? But in a little while I saw myself putting inside the hole my feet and felt that the water is just almost knee deep. Then I walked again to the next hole, another black water and the same thought lingered in my mind, but I followed the command of the voice. When I get into the water, I sunk up to my neck and I cried for help. Two person came near me and helped me out of the water. I gave thanks for helping me out. Then the last hole came, I heard again the voice telling me to look into the water and taste it. Quite afraid because of what happened to me, I peep into the water and saw it was clear and I saw my face on it. A voice told me to taste it, so I followed. After the trials on the 3 holes I started walking again and there I saw a man companion. We were walking on the street and I saw a key, picked it up and told my companion, I will look for the owner of the key. We were walking together when we saw a hermit type of man, he has a very long beard,wearing a sandals, with a wooden stick in his hands and his clothes was colored brown. I asked the man if he saw a person walked this way because I saw a key and this might belong to him. The hermit replied, you are lucky, you will use that key to open the beautiful palace in the middle of the woods, pointing to me a forest. Enter that place and in the middle of it, you will see a palace, go in there and use the key to the door of the palace. And there we went but my man companion just left me enter the place, he just accompanied me to my destination. A beautiful palace indeed and after opening the door, I saw a long stairway going up, so I went up while I can hear angelic voices at the background and little children smiling. Upon reaching the top, I saw in front of me the Blessed Virgin, Mary Immaculate Conception, and She said: Bumalik ka, may ipagagawa ako sa iyo balang araw. Ang tanong ko sa kanya: Ano po yon? And She said: Balang araw malalaman mo. Sa iyong pagbaba ay matatapakan mo ang mga tinik ng rosas, magtiis ka lang at pagdating mo sa dulo ay makikita mo ang isang ilog at kailangan mo tumawid duon. Ang sagot ko sa Kanya: Hindi po ako marunong lumangoy. At ang wika Niya. Huwag kang mag-alala, padadalhan kita ng tutulong sa iyo, meron kang makikitang balsa na iyong sasakyan. Lalagi akong nasa iyo. Humayo ka na at baka mahuli ka sa oras. After that assurance, I went my way out and true enough to Her words, I stepped on the thorns of roses, saw the wooden raft and some animals, rice stalks to go with my travel to the other side of the place. I don’t know what happened to me because I saw myself lying on a coffin and my brother was staring at me and he saw me get up from my sleep. When I woke up I was thirsty and lacking air in my breathing so I run immediately to the comfort room beside my room and drunk water. That day our house helper told me: You are like a dead person, I have been trying to wake you up since 5 am in the morning, now it is almost 9 am. This encounter made me believe that I am being called for a purpose by Our Mother of the Immaculate Conception and I only need to wait and bear the pains of the thorns that I will experience in my life. And this dream also bring me more closer to my Catholic faith, to the Blessed Virgin and Her son Jesus. I thanked the Lord for His goodness of choosing me serve Him/Her. I know a lot of you has this kind of encounter in your life. Since this is a Year of Faith, may we have the courage to share with our Brethren our faith life experiences to give light to others too, in that way, we can invite those who are still living in doubt, as to who is the true church, by showing them the way to salvation and the true Church. As the saying goes, there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church. May we all be One with the Triune God in Spirit and in Truth. God bless us all and may the Holy Cross of Jesus (+) enlighten our thoughts and heart and with this experience of our spirituality brings encouragement and believe in the true faith. Jesus said: Blessed are those who believe but have not seen God. Our Faith will save us.

In Honor of the Man

This sharing is my greatest achievement for myself with regards to my faith. Experiencing "The Transfiguration" and knowing what eternal life means in reality. It was during my vacation inside Camp Crame during Martial Law that a co-detainee told me that "Rizal is alive." Surprised but amazed, I had that words challenging. Sis. Estela, my co-detainee invited me to live with her, which I accepted. I stayed with them February of 1973, then being bothered with the thoughts of her allegation that Rizal is alive, I made my own discovery. I offered prayer and fasting and talked to God inside my room and asked Him this particular request. I said "Lord, I know that You love me, and You know that I have followed and obeyed Your Will. Please tell me if what was told to me is true. Is it true that You sent Rizal to our country? Is it true that he followed You and has set an example for us, the way You were nailed to the cross, and Rizal being shot in Bagumbayan because he exposed the wickedness of the scribes, friars and priest during his time when we were under the Spaniards?, as shown in his 2 books the Noli Me Tangere and El Felibusterismo? If this is true, please show to me Rizal in Spirit and in Truth. Seeing him in person is okay with me, there is no need for me to talk to him, I just want to be a witness of my faith in You. When I see him, I will follow the church where he belongs. I know that he was a catholic in faith. I will consider the Catholic Church as the True Church when I see Rizal in person. I will not make him a God, but I will give him honor, since he is the symbol of our country. Like what you taught us to "honor thy Father and thy Mother". Like what Jesus, the Son of God said, "who ever saw me has seen the Father, for the Father and I are One." And I do believe that You Jesus is the Son of the Living God. On the 4th day or March 10, 1973, while on my way home. A man who is like a "probinsiyano" ride in our jeep and sat in front of me. I heard a voice telling me: Look at the man in front of you. Following His words, I looked at the man and felt all my hairs was up from head to toe, there was coldness circling my body. And I said to myself, he looks like Rizal, let me analyze his face...and I said to myself, his face is Jose Rizal. When I got off the jeep, I felt I was inside a bubble and was 3 feet above the ground. I cannot feel that I am walking on the street going to inside our gate. And when I entered the entrance of our house in Makati, I saw a family, their names - Jose, Sr, Jose III and Lucresia. They heard me saying "I saw Rizal". I told the story to Estela and her family and they were so happy. The family who saw me thought I was insane. That is normal to human beings judgemental attitude. I gave thanks to my Lord and my God and from that time on, every time I have the chance to visit Rizal in Luneta, I do greet him a "Happy Birthday". The family I saw that day also, became my family, because their only son Jose, III became my husband for 35 years. I have chosen him because he was my witness, and maybe God has a plan before hand. God knows what is best for us, and He makes everything in His time...you only need to be humble and obedient to His will. Thank you Lord Jesus for this very special gift of faith, a privilege of knowing what eternal life means and the chance of experiencing "the Transfiguration" the way You showed it in the Garden of Gethsemane. At Rizal's Park on his 150th birthday, the 2 men beside me are the 2 men I saw in my dream 3 days before the birthday of Rizal. The father and i are one in Spirit and Truth. Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Father of the Philippines, a National Hero in his own way to teach the Filipino people, but never planned to be like god. Do what he teaches because he believes that the youth is the hope of the Fatherland. My witness, Jose III shared with my advocacy in my faith life. Thank you.

My Holy Week Divine Intention

I had this thought of asking for Divine Intervention as early as March 14, 2013, when I first visited the Regina Rosarii at Tanay, Rizal. I made a prayer request asking God for Divine intervention for Peace and Healing in our land. And as I make my Station of the Cross, on the 3rd Station - Jesus falls the first time, I heard a voice telling me: Look for a souvenir. And looking on the ground I found a white heart shaped pebble and after giving thanks to the Lord, I heard something fall from above hitting my umbrella, looking around to see what it was, I found nothing. While on my way home, I was looking at the group of people picking up something from the side road, and checked on it, only to learn that they are picking pine cones. I picked up one for myself, and I remember that last year of March 2, 2012, a pine cone was my souvenir from the Lord when I had my Station of the Cross at the Good Shepherd Convent in Baguio City. I was very happy that day and so spirit filled with my prayers. When Palm Sunday came, I again offered my prayer intention, all my sufferings, penance, indulgences, and fasting for Divine intervention in Honor of Our new Pope Francis and the Holy Priesthood of the Lord. I was not given any assigned duty to serve in the church, except for 2 things, to say the Prayer of the Faithful on the 7 last Words of Jesus which is: 1st word - Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. And the 2nd one which is for my own personal choosing, the 6th Word - It is Finished. I attended the Easter vigil including the "Salubong" Mass. I was able to say the 2nd Reading in the 5 pm Holy Mass. I don't know how I managed to pass all the time elements involved, but I know God is with me and He helped me on my intention. I felt, I was dead for 3 1/2 days during the period because of my absence in doing my regular church duty, but God is good and He has a purpose. And I know, I obeyed His Will because during the procession of the Station of the Cross, God gave me a Cross like the Cross of Blessed John Paul II, similar also to the cross on my Rosary that came from Rome given by Fr. Jun. True enough because after all the efforts I offered, I got a message from God saying:it is the day of deep peace for you. Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the shining star to you. And I am sharing this PEACE to all my Brethren...the Peace and the Love of God be with us always. Regina Rosarii - The Virgin Mary on Top of the Hill