I Believe in Miracles

God does not make miracles simply to heal a defect. God does not make miracles to dazzle people. God does not make miracles to showoff that He is great and powerful. No.

I read this very long article about miracles, and one of the points highlighted was that “A miracle is a factor in the Providence of God over men. Hence the glory of God and the good of men are the primary or supreme ends of every miracle.” Therefore the miracle must be worthy the holiness, goodness, and justice of God, and conducive to the true good of men.

Miracles are badges of God’s love for His people. Hence, miracles are meant to be told, to be narrated, to be testified, to create awareness of God’s holiness, goodness and justice. If we are to limit our testimonies to people who already believe, we have failed to accomplish the purpose of God’s miracles.

Such was the fault of the Jews who believed that they were the Chosen People, believing that the miracles of God were meant only for them. In Mark 5 Jesus healed a non-Jew possessed by a demon called Legion in Gadarenes.  The message Jesus was telling his disciples: miracles and the gospel are meant for all, not just for a select race or people.

Thus St Paul wrote “For I am not ashamed of the gospel (and miracles), because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

In the Gospel of Matthew, he says, “And this gospel (and miracles) of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

For believers, it is our duty, our responsibility, our mission to bear witness to the Word of God, to tell unbelievers of God’s teachings, of God’s love, of God’s miracles. 

(Excerpts taken from the Inspired Talk of Bro Mel B Libre delivered during the inaugural Light Soul Breakfast on April 27, 2013 in Henderson, Auckland)

Come and Have Breakfast

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is an old adage. It must be so for generation after generation families partake of breakfast before pursuing the demands of the day.

I remember as a boy when I spent summer vacation in the family farmland in Pinamungajan, Cebu; I could not understand why we had to wake up so early before sunrise. We then took light breakfast; and the able men then proceeded to tend the fields.

It was much later that I understood the routine. The farmer ate early to provide his body with energy; and it was best to work early as the heat of the sun tended to be less harsh in the morning than later in the afternoon.

In John 21: 12, it is written, “Jesus said to them “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.”

Jesus saw the importance of breakfast, for how could the body sustain the rigid demands of fishing? Appointed as fishers of men, the Apostles needed to sustain their bodies and more importantly their souls; so early on Christ gave them His Body and Blood. The task on hand was far greater than the demands of the seas, for the conversion of non-believers brought the ultimate act of sanctity: martyrdom.

Inspired by John’s Gospel, I have convened Light Soul Breakfast. It is a fellowship of people praying, sharing and singing as a way of expressing love for God and a forum towards creating a caring society. In these times when couples work hard throughout the week, their souls need to be energized, to be filled with the Holy Spirit to prepare them for the demands of another week of family time, of work in the office or field; and, of community service.

As our bodies cannot run on empty at the start of a long day; our souls cannot run on empty at the start of each long working week.

Light.Soul.Breakfast

We know that St Peter denied Christ three times prior to the crucifixion. So when Jesus revealed himself to the apostles fishing in the Sea of Tiberia, St Peter was asked three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:1-19) to which he responded in the affirmative.

According to one priest; that reply of St Peter was half-hearted falling in the category of filial love that is one of awe and respect. The clergy continued that Jesus was wanting of agape love, the purest form of love, strong, unwavering, unchanging, unconditional and eternal. Christ knew that the first Pope would attain it later when He said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” For truly St Peter followed Christ’s path towards martyrdom, a symbol of agape.

How many times have we denied Christ in our lives - three times like St Peter or many times over? Since I started writing this weekly blog, “Blotfree”, I have many times in my subconscious state been told to speak about my writings before brethren. Many times I resisted, afraid that nobody will come, nobody will listen. But God guides us to the right path, for as long as you seek His words.

The first step was the formation of Teachers in Sandals Fellowship for tertiary students. He led me to meet Fr Sam Pulanco who was assigned as Priest Chaplain of the Auckland Catholic Tertiary Chaplaincy.  For the past two years, the ministry meets regularly in Newman Hall where students deliver speeches about their faith. I thought that was enough.

In a secular society like New Zealand, Christians do not talk openly about their faith, afraid of being labeled as insensitive to the beliefs or unbelief of others. So who now call the shots in the policies of the State?  It is the promoters of prostitution, same-sex marriage, abortion and legalization of marijuana. They articulate with laced-language that persuades elective public officials wanting to stay in office longer.

Christians must stand up for Jesus’ teachings. But like soldiers going to war; Christians must be equipped to do battle against the relentless forces of the devil. “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)

The key to victory is: KALP: Know; Articulate; Live; and Pray. To allow brethren to Articulate about the faith that they KNOW from the word of God, the inaugural gathering of LIGHT.SOUL.BREAKFAST will be held on April 27, 2013 8:00 am in Auckland.  The activity aims to establish a fellowship among people towards better understanding among each other and to propagate love, peace and harmony in the world. It is part Toastmasters, part prayer gathering, part business meeting and part community singing. Of course, there is food for breakfast. We will become advocates of the Word.

We are knocking at your hearts to join us. This could be the beginning of agape love between you and the Lord.

The Lady

Over the weekend, I saw “The Lady”, the moving bio-pic on the life and struggles of Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the impact on her family, on her nation, Burma and of her people. For people living in democratic countries, yet have forgotten of the lives lost and sacrifices made to attain freedom, this film should serve as a reminder.

There is a scene in the opus where husband Michael Aris, who has been left behind in London to care for their two growing children, attempts to cook and fails miserably. It is somewhat laughable, but not for me.

For the first time, I have been left to tend for myself as my wife, Debbie, has gone on a month-long vacation to the Philippines. So dependent on my wife for the meals, I am continuously attempting to cook a decent meal these past few weeks. Last week, I nearly had food poisoning when I ate fried rice that I had mixed with leftover viands of chicken and tuna. For an entire afternoon, I had to run to the toilet back and forth to rid my stomach of the deadly recipe.

Aris died without seeing his wife. He accepted the importance of the cause that she was fighting for; and didn’t hinder her in any manner. Though distant, he fought her fight in diplomatic avenues, while at the same time took care of the family. It reminds us of the teaching, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)

On my part, I am proud of my wife on her ability to balance her vocation as a financial adviser and her obligation as a homemaker. It is therefore just fair that she takes a break from the demanding routine. I understand. I told her to enjoy her vacation, and not worry about me.  “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7)

Couples live in different situations, encounter diverse challenges, yet what is most basic for the husband and wife is to honour the covenant they entered into in marriage to give themselves to each other and accept the gift of the other. The love of Suu Kyi and Michael Aris is admirable; but so are those of simple couples like you and me, who live ordinary lives, yet cherish the love for each other.

Beautiful Angel

She was like a beautiful angel deep in sleep.  A week earlier, Jillian Rose was full of life, bursting with hope. On Easter Sunday, the two year old died suddenly due to complications as a result of pneumonia.  On April 2, 2013, we gathered in one of the chapels of Morrison Funeral, Henderson to say mass for the repose of her innocent soul, to pray for her grieving family.

“Why did she die so young?” the priest said he was asked the question, and admitted he did not have the answer.  For it is difficult to fathom God’s plan for each one of us, including that of the innocent.  It was prophesied that the innocents would die in the aftermath of the birth of Jesus as the prophet Jeremiah had written, “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more." (Matt. 2:18, ESV)

Even if God will answer us, we may not understand. Jesus Christ asked the Father about his impending death. “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”” (Matt. 26:39)

God’s will for the innocent, for the holy and for those who keep His commands was shown through the love for His Son who was raised from the dead and ascended to His Kingdom. For Christ said "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matt. 5:4) Comforted are we of the Truth that the innocent, the holy, the believers who die will be in the eternal company of God; of the Truth that we who are living know that God keeps His promise of salvation.

In our grief, God will come. All we need to do is call on Him, to pray to Him:   "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens; and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30)