This, I Should No Longer Keep to Myself!

Gospel Reflection for 

29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: Mt 22:15- 21

For the longest time, I’ve never been too bold telling one and all that “I have cancer!” 

For some reason I respected, I never disobeyed when my mom told me that I shouldn’t make others know that I am battling cancer. For all those times, seven years in a row while I was in remission, only few did know that I was giving cancer a good fight. Only few did know that I’ve been a strong fighter.

Up until the “second wave” came in 2016 when I had to go through the same battle again – when cancer turned stage 4, I was still too cautious whether to go out to the open because as I was told, not everyone would wish us good will when we are frail.  

My body showed how physically weak metastasis have caused, 

... but every time I gave myself “the push” that I needed, 

... every time I smile at myself in the mirror while loosing those hairs again, 

... every time I strive to manage to get up each waking morning 

    to mend the home and assure my husband and kids that they still have me, 

... and every time I would strive to bring myself to sleep with God’s songs of healing 

    amidst the stinging pains elsewhere in my body, 

    -- I just can’t help but be grateful for God’s mercy.     

"Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar

and to God what belongs to God." – Matthew 22:21

For the longest time, I deeply know I owe God!

Thanks to this Gospel – because today, I am boldly declaring to give back whatever is due to Him – that amount of gratitude which I should never keep to myself.

Just like that coin which has Caesar’s image, I am a kind of a coin as well – stamped with God’s image and likeness, I belong to God!  Nothing will ever hinder me now from telling one and all that I am strong in my battle because God is within me -- and at that, I am not just a Cancer Survivor, I AM A VICTOR!

So my dear friends, I am inviting you to get inspired by my story in my blog  

@ https://acancervictorsadvocacy.wordpress.com/  

in facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/acancervictorsadvocacy/ 

& in instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/gailmontero.47/  #sunset

photo credits to:
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/c9/0c/39/c90c396e945589f655a07a76acccb99c--biblical-inspiration-inspiration-quotes.jpg

"True Character is who you are and what you do -- even when no one is watching you!"

Are you Breaking? ... Praise God in Advance!

Hi Friends, here's wanting to share with you once more in gratitude, my personal notes and reflections too, on last Sunday's  1st Talk entitled FILL of the Series Leak: How To Heal Others Through Our Brokenness by our Laguna District Builder Bro Jon Escoto @ The Feast SM Santa Rosa, Cinema 1.    

photo credits: http://www.lightfam.com/index.php/the-feast/feast-teachings

Have you been worrying a lot lately?

You've been in unfair situation?

You’re breaking and you don’t know how to mend? 

… in effect, parang lahat ng worries nasambot mo na;

… parang lahat ng justifications inangkin mo na;

… kasi ang sabi mo, “nasasaktan ka!”

But friend, why not look around and see who else is hurting? 

While you’re much focused on your pain, God must have been hurting too!

Why? … because you don’t seem to acknowledge His outstretched arms, 

striving to reach out to comfort you.

And you doubted instead, doubled with all apprehensions. 

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” -- Ps 147:3

All along, we are constantly given all the opportunity to praise God in advance: 

1.     when there is Anxiety 

You cannot grow in faith by complaining 

Don’t forget to thank God in advance

Switch over into praise!!!

It's all about thanking God

Praise keeps us moving forward. 

If you don't thank God in advance, you will not have the grace to wait for the fulfillment of His promise.

From faith comes strength 

Stop running; refrain from worrying; start trusting! 

The secret:

“Every time you worry let it be the signal to praise God in advance!”

But the problem is:

When things are not turning towards our timetable, we start begging God. 

No need to worry, God have heard you long before. 

Never beg each time. God will give what you want soon, 

just keep on trusting that He will fulfill His promise. 

The key: 

The blessing that's to come…just keep on thanking God everyday! 

2.     when there is Uncertainty 

“Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind 

to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, 

and I have come in response to them.” -- Daniel 10:12

 From the day you said your prayer, God already heard it.

 God heard you the first time. 

 The very first day, the answer is on its way!

 The promise is already in motion!

3.     when there is Tragedy

You just can't see it yet with your natural eyes

But sometimes we look at our situation as dead – when the fact of the heart is that you can actually bring things back to life. 

 4. when there is Calamity

 Offer a sacrifice of praise! 

 Umiiyak ang kalooban mo but you still praise God for it.

 Di bawal mag complain, but please, do not murmur all the days of your life! 

 Praise and God will make a way!

So friend,  cheer up, make up your mind, FILL YOUR HEART with God’s love. 

Don't loose praise! 

The battle may be tough but God will never let a praiser to be a looser! #sunset

"True Character is who you are and what you do -- even when no one is watching you!"