Ang pag-ibig ang nagpapatibay sa kaninuman para tumibay ang pag-ibig. To untie and to let go needs tibay and love. Sometimes to have tibay and love is to untie and let go.

I'm sorry for the delayed reaction, Father. Today, I have gotten in touch with my two brothers, six nieces, 2 nephews, and a sister in law, to let them know that I care and I pray for them. I texted a long lost elderly friend to ask her how she was coping with the situation we are in right now. I just wanted to let them know that even in this time of darkness they were not forgotten. In a way, that was also my own way of saying that I need them specially now. Your talk yesterday made me realize that being too independent is not the true essence of being MATIBAY, that being too independent could be a foolish pride. And I need people who love me to untie me from that foolishness, that causes my stench. THANK YOU, Father. You hit the nail right on the head.

what struck me most: it is ok to doubt. but we have faith. We can question God. He likes us to ask Him why. In the end, we may not get the answers that we want, but we get a tiny glimpse and an insight of who God is.

thank you too for sharing your experience of being bullied as a little frail boy with glasses. I believe that that experience made you "malalim and matibay."

Thank you, Fr. Francis, for sharing your insights for this Sunday's Gospel. Thank you for the gentle reminder to us all on how to pray, to be careful in applying Sriptural passages to personal experiences and learning to surrender and trust in God's love while we do our part in obeying Him.

God bless us all. May we all remain steadfast in our faith amidst difficulties.

I learned that God is God. He remains to be Love and Light and always with a Quiet and Knowing Patience. He is constant, and unchanged by events. But our view of Him and the path to Him can be obstructed and cluttered, so full of stuff and the buzz of a lifestyle we have created and accumulated... Just as clouds blocking the radiance of the sun moves away, our busy life and constant hussle moved aside and somehow allowed the Light of the Lord to shine through. And so like Mary pouring the expensive oil on Jesus' feet, may I pour myself out more generously and more lovingly to a life seeking the Light and Loving the Lord; living, loving and learning with our fellow hungry and weary souls in a daily push and pull between: contemplation and action, uncertainty and faith, the stench of decay and the fragrance and freshness of new life ....and all this is okay...

Thank you Abouna for reminding us to hope in the Lord - because as Mary and Marta knew it is in Gods power to heal and resurrect - I know God will heal this land. But we need resiliency to adapt to the new norm and patience to wait for his response to our prayers. Mother Nature is both HIS creation and HIS powerful tool. May Gods will be done.

Thank you, Fr Francis for your recollection this morning that was filled with insights for me. I learned:
1) a new way of praying: not to tell God what I want to happen (because He already knows what I need ), but, to just tell Him what is happening to me, and trust that He knows what is good for me;
2) that it is good to wait, and in His Time, He will answer me, not necessarily in the way I want to happen, but, in the way that is good for me;
3) that to get to the resurrection that I want to happen, I have to be ready to face the challenges (the stench), and I must work with Jesus to set free those in darkness;
(4) that in this time of fear and uncertainty of COVID 19, I must be strong because I am not alone. God who is strong is with me. His Love is wide and deep as the sea, embracing the world, and never-ending
(5) that in this quagmire of fear and uncertainty, tiny resurrections are happening.

in these uncertain times, we must be fearless and strong because God is always with us. "Hindi tayo nag-iisa." And, with everything that is happening around us, whatever challenges and doubts we face, we must always give Thanks because God loves us. He knows what is good for us, He is always with us. We need to wait for His answer, in His Time, teusting that His answer is what's good for us. We must work with Jesus to unbind and release those who are in darkness, not only through material help, but also, emotional and spiritual support.

Thank you, Fr Francis, for offering us fresh insights to look at things from a different perspective. For me, this recollection was a "resurrection" that has come out of this chaos. It was like a peaceful running stream that flowed through the jungle of confusion. It is a resurrection because this pandemic has been a channel by which I can follow the insights I received from this recollection in the challenges and difficultues that I will encounter.

Thank you, Piandre and your Team, for making it possible for us to have this beautiful recollection. May God continue to bless you and your families always.

Lesson taught and lesson learned......In this darkness,God humbles the proud and powerful.....there is quiet and silence rhat we may hear his voice....churches are closed so we will realize how Dark our world wothout God.
a friend posted a very nice prayer and towards the end of this prayer it says.....
Maybe these trials are Gods mercy in disguise...maybe whatis happening is a tually Gods way of purifying us.cleansing our soul and bring us back to him.....

In this time of crisis we are facing, we need to be MATIBAY. Thank you so much Fr. Francis for this meaningful and timely recollection. I would like to thank also Mam Rosa, Drea and Aina for hosting this online recollection. God Bless and more power !

When we appreciate that he truly knows us by name and when we tell Him like it is, the relationship suddenly changes; and somehow we become vulnerable, and open; we become patient, trying harder to listen and reflect, and then we surrender. We accept the journey not worrying about the goal or endgame.

thank you so much for hosting this meaningful recollection, so much to learn and reflect. It really hits me when Fr. Francis said its okay not to know. Ang dami kong worries sa mga bagay na di ko alam ano ang mangyayari dahil sa situation,but if you just pray, tell to the Lord that these are my feelings, and have faith that he will answered our prayer in His on will, in His own time,and on His own way. Maging matibay dahil alam mong di ka ang iisa at alam mong mahal ka ng Panginoon. "God who created you without you, will not save you without you. Amen

How inspirational to be reminded of what an intimate God we have. In this time of desperate need, I had it in my mind to turn to an almighty and omnipotent God who will wipe away this monstrous pandemic with the wave of His hand, the very hand that calmed the torrential turbulent waters of the sea and saved all of humanity. But when I closed my eyes in deep reflection, I saw an intimate God who would do it for love of me. My experience of Him was personal, intimate, and specific. I know He loves all of humanity but there is great healing and comfort to experience love directed solely for you at a time you need it most. His love is great in being so encompassing and also in being so particular. Thank you Father for touching my heart so personally. Thank you Tita Linda and your beautiful children in your generosity to allow us a meaningful participation.