We had our last pilgrimage meeting on Monday. Information on which hotels we are staying was given to us. Because there are 300 of us, we are all not staying in the same hotel, which makes the pilgrimage more complicated. But God provides and he makes the way. Before meeting the Pope, we will be going to certain places, but the Catechists will not tell us. The pilgrimage will be from May 1st to May 6th, and we will be meeting the Pope on May 5th. We will also meet the rest of the brothers from other countries. There will be approximately more than 400,000 brothers in the NCW. After the meeting, we got our shirts for the pilgrimage. Although our Catechist did not say when to wear it, I assume it would be on the day we meet the Pope. Next week, my children will be receiving their make-up work to take with them on the trip so they do not lag behind in their classes. As for the brothers who will be staying back, they continue to walk the tripod: Liturgy, Eucharist, and Community. Remember brothers that God calls us to be holy. Be humble. Truth and humility. We will be on a pilgrimage to Rome. There we will meet our Pope, Pope Francis and the International Team.
Diana, I am praying that Pope Francis will announce to the 500,000 in Rome, that is the largest crowd ever on St. Peter's Square, that our Archbishop Apuron is still the Archbishop of Agana, because it is the truth! He was found innocent in most charges, convicted in minor violations only. This is the truth verified by canon lawyers! The Pope has to make sure the truth is heard all over in the church. This will be the time when we finally get peace at home.
Diana look at this http://www.lastampa.it/2018/04/19/vaticaninsider/francis-get-up-and-go-you-cant-evangelize-from-your-armchair-Y0QtkuiKO7k4JK6KR1nZ1I/pagina.html
If you talk evangelization, you talk about the Neocatechumenal Way! We do the evangelization! We go even to Rome to evangelize. Don't you think many Italian people in Rome need to hear the Kerygma?! You bet they need you to go there and announce the Good New!
Even in Italy there are so many who don't know our father Abraham, our prophet Moses and the rest, even our Savior Christ! We have to tell them. We are going to march! Alleluia!
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
The song ‘Go and Announce to My Brothers’ is based on this passage from the Gospel of Matthew.
Diana, you keep avoiding my question about the cost or your pilgrim tour. Not everybody can afford an expensive trip of over 7 days including very long flights between continents! Just think about a family with 3 or 4 kids. Who will go and who won't?
You say God will provide. But what is your evidence? God is involved in helping the poor to survive giving them food, drink and dwelling. Will God also help the travelers? I pray for every Catholic from Guam who go with you, because they need my prayer. But who will stand the cost at the final countdown?
Curious, if you're worried that the money came from the parish, don't. The money didn't come from the parish. I'm going on this trip too, and the money came from my savings and paycheck.
God touches the hearts of family, friends, coworkers and others who may know a pilgrim desiring to go on the Rome pilgrimage. So they offer gifts of money, use of their credit card to buy airline ticket, money in exchange for service.
God inspires the pilgrim to be creative in fundraising. Bake sales. Lunch plates. Yard sales. Car washes. Sale of personally made rosaries, and other handicrafts.
Pay it forward. People who have been previously blessed, offer to pay forward a monetary gift to a pilgrim they may know.
In return for the gifts God provides, pilgrims pray for their family and benefactors.
God provides. God answers prayers. God is faithful.
Because we are going as a family, we did a lot of fundraising. My husband and I fundraised (mostly lunch plates) at work. Our co-workers were very supportive. Our friends and relatives also helped us with the fundraising. We knew about the Rome Pilgrimage since October when it was announced at the Beginning of the Year Convivience. So we had about six months to fundraise and save money for all of us to go.
Dear Chelu, this is my concern. You confirmed that the trip is on credit. Many of you will go into debt form years to come! I am curious when you have to pay back your credit card debt in predatory interest rate, would you still be able to buy the food to your kids they need for proper nutrition? I am curious when the next installment of payment is due, will you go on overtime in your job and deprive your kids from quality time at home?
You make businesses and credit companies rich for the enjoyment of a few days oversees. Travel agencies and tourist industry will report outstanding profit from the pilgrims! Meantime, the poor remain poor on island. You say you will have great spiritual time with your leaders in the NCW and Pope Francis will attend. Very good! But I am curious what is the benefit for the church? What is the benefit for Guam? What is the benefit for the poor?
You say you announce the Kerygma to the pagans. But there are no pagans in Vatican city! Or do you think, they are waiting for you to convert?
I feel your enthusiasm and I applaud your adventurous endeavor. I pray for your success. But I am curious if it is good for the faithful and the little kids. I am just afraid that the final cost will be overwhelming for many.
Why are you making the pilgrims’ financial affairs your problem? Why do you question a person’s desire to make a pilgrimage? You ask “What is the benefit for the poor?”
From Matthew 26:6-13 Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, “Why this waste? It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor.” Since Jesus knew this, he said to them, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me. In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.”
From Matthew 6:31-33 So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness,* and all these things will be given you besides.
From our walk in our communities, from the Celebrations of the Word, scrutinies of scripture passages, we grow our faith in God. We treasure in our hearts the Words of God such as the above.
I encourage you ‘Curious’ to believe and trust in God.
Dear Chelu, I believe in God and I trust Him. He gave me curiosity to use for the benefit of all. When people are spending a lot of money, other people always get rich. This is the rule of money, the empire of Mammon. He defines money matters and all we can do, we suffer. So we need precaution when we endeavor in spending. Is this not convincing for you?
"Why do you question a person’s desire to make a pilgrimage?", you ask me. I don't question the desire. But I am curious about the a shaky investment of money into something that won't produce the means of return. My experience is that people are working hard for money and they should have the full control of spending their momey wisely, for the bare necessities of their family, especially is they have a lot of kids. I have heard people in the NCW usually have large family and a lot of kids.
You quoted Matt 26:6-13. But this parable is of Jesus! The leper woman spent expensive lotion on Jesus because He was around. It was a very special time when our Lord Jesus dwelled among us! I wish I would have lived then! Nowadays, there is no Jesus walking around anymore. So why are you spending your expensive stuff on costly trips?
I bear responsibility for the well-being of my kids. You go to a foreign country and trust yourselves and your little ones on people you don't know. Is this a responsible thing to do? How about those among you who have diabetes or are on special diet? You will be treated as foreigners and searched as potential bad guys for weapons. Do you need that humiliation in a far-away country?
Of course you all know what you are doing. You are adults who bear the same responsibility for your beloved as I do. I am curious of what is the whole point you do this, because I just don't get it. Nevertheless, I'll pray for you, especially for the kids on pilgrimage with you so that they don't suffer the challenges you all will have to face in foreign land.
@ Mr. Curious Anyone that worries as much about money as you do is either Tim Rohr or a friend of his.
If you are blinded by greed and avarice, how can you expect to believe that God can provide for 300 pilgrims? Don't you see in your words the same words of the money-loving-disciples (led by Judas?) “Why this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for a large sum, and given to the poor.” (Mt 26:8-9)
Isn't it 'curious' (pun intended Mr. Curious) that this story of the Gospel is followed by Judas deciding to betray Jesus? Just as Tim Rohr decided to persecute the NCW as soon as money became part of the conversation.
You ask good questions and wonder why people are not more responsible for the well-being of their family. To think of the future of loved ones, to have a budget and ensure that everything goes according to the plan the head of the household has set for the future and security of the family. This was my way of thinking too, many years ago.
But not everything went according to my plan. I won’t get into specifics. But life events, work events, health events happens which derails a plan. I lost control and felt so helpless. Walking in the Way helped me to discover that my plan was not God’s plan. My eyes were opened to see the foolishness of my plan and who I hurt along the way to make sure things did go my way. I learned that God allowed me to have all these experiences. But God trusted that I would see the weak sinner I was. In God’s love and mercy, He gave his son Jesus Christ to die for the forgiveness of my sins. How could I not ask for the forgiveness of those I hurt? God’s love and mercy radiated even more in doing this!
God showed me concretely his love, mercy and providence. A couple years ago, I experienced chest pain, back pain and soon was not able to walk. I was in GMH for about a month and then later in a hospital in the Philippines for another month for back surgery. During these two months, I was literally lying in bed completely helpless. But God provided everything I needed – doctors, nurses, technicians, food, medicine. Many priests, deacons, seminarians and brothers in community visited me. I did not ask for any of this. I was simply helpless lying in bed. I was overwhelmed with God’s providence! One night, God spoke to me and said “See. I am all you need.”
Dear Chelu, it is good you feel God helped you in your illness and recovery. Also some professionals with learned skills. You needed both God and the professionals for healing. This is so good that happened!
But how is this related to a monetary investment into a pilgrim project to see the Pope? The Pope did not heal you. Was it not God and the professionals in the hospital who healed you?
Dear curious People who ask these kinds of questions is because they don't believe God exists. In it's essence it is a blasphemy against God. Your question can be reworded to say how can God provide for a bunch of people who want to go to Rome and I work my ass off to feed my children. The answer is easy you lack the courage to risk and trust that God exists and provides so you will continue to slave away in fear that Godbl will not provide and allow you to suffer.
We cannot claim sole credit for all that we have. God made everything possible. God made it possible for your parents to meet each other and for you to be born into this world. God made it possible for you to have the life you have with all its blessings and sufferings to make you the person you are today. God gives you the gift of free will to choose what you want to do. And is there to comfort you when things do not go according to your plan. God, the loving Father he is, trusts you will learn from your experiences. That you will reflect on your history from childhood to where you are now. To realize that He was always with you. And upon this enlightenment, to thank God, praise God, bring the Good News of his son Jesus Christ to others. Because you are a gift from God. Made in His image.
Dear Chelu, yes it is very good to know that Jesus was, is and will be with me in my life path, during my challenges and ordeals. I appreciate that you did not try to sweep away my question and concern. Some arrogant people try to belittle the Jesus that lives in you. They think they know it better. They talk about theology but theology does not give you faith. Theology is thinking of God and not believing in God.
I feel the love of Jesus when I walk with Him the 12 Stations of the Way of the Cross. I know this is such a little thing. Jesus only allows me to suffer with Him. But how can one say this is false? What is love if not this?
Jesus is with His faithful, even if we don't go to Rome. But I am fine with people's pilgrimage if this was their decision and not a decision others made for them. Jesus is my God, the Alpha and the Omega. God bless your trip.
"Nowadays, there is no Jesus walking around anymore. So why are you spending your expensive stuff on costly trips?"
Curious, I do not comment often but I have to respond to this last statement and all the things you been posting. I do not condemn but out of love, God has a word just for you. I hope you read this. God loves you just the way you are and His Son, Jesus Christ, is alive and well in your life even today through the Holy Spirit. Do not let the devil let you think otherwise "...and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt 28:20
And do not give into the devil's lies that God does not provide for this pilgrimage or even for you in your history. God loves his people, so much that you and I simply exist. Can you explain how you even exist right now? Simply, through God's providence. What more can he provide if you trust in God completely in your life and not your bank balance. Do not doubt and fall into the lie of the devil that money rules everything. God conquers these lies of the devil. Sacrifice a little and see how God can make this tangible in your life. I understand how all this does not make sense right now and you want answers; how everything needs to have a paper trail and accountability, but these are all facets of a world that ingrained in us that money is everything. God has come to not destroy the law but fulfill it. He is the only thing that gives us life, not money. If you try and humble yourself to understand it on the basic level of life, you can see, God provides even for you and for me, today and everyday, by your and my very existence. Peace be with you and pray for you.
Dear Vincent, I feel the love of Jesus when I walk the Stations of the Cross. Jesus suffered for me to show His love on the way of sorrows on Golgotha. Mammon is ready to steal your conscience. He wants you to give your money to him. But is it not better to spend your money on your kids and your family to show your care for them?
God provides for the needy, but He does not provide for the rich who can afford expensive trips around the world. The rich can provide for themselves from their wealth. It is the poor and downtrodden who needs the Providence for their survival.
My existence has nothing to do with the love of God. Many bad guys who don't believe, sinners and criminals also exist. The globe is full of them all around. They are not loved by God. But Jesus loves me because He died on the cross.
Dear curious So god loves u and doesn’t love criminals and sinners ... but he loves u. What makes u so special? I thought Jesus died for everyone. Kinda makes me wonder what the heck am I doing going to confession if god does not love me a criminal and a sinner. Can u explain that? Or maybe u have never sinned? Or maybe you do not sin anymore. Have u read what the cdf has written about neopelagianism and neopaganism? I think it would help u understand why what you are saying IS NOT CATHOLIC!
But I’ve discovered that the more mealy-mouthed their tone is, the less capable of dialogue and theological understanding they are. Dialogue is impossible w honeyed tongues that spit venom.
“They are not loved by God but Jesus loves me” sounds like “thank you lord that I am not like the sinners like that publican” remember what Jesus said about that Pharisee? “He wants you to give your money to him but is it not better to spend your money on your kids” do you even realize what you write? OMgosh!!!! Definitely don’t bother reading what official church doctrine says. You wouldn’t get it.
Dear NB, you amazes me as you talk like a person of authority. When I walk the Stations of the Cross, I feel the love of Jesus. I only say this. I did not say what you wrote. I feel the Lord's suffering in my bones, in my body, in my soul. You know that Jesus loves you when you suffer. Because He is there in suffering. Wherever there is suffering, Jesus is there.
Jesus is fully human. This is what I heard from theologians. So He suffers as humans. He is also God so His suffering is universal. The whole universe is His suffering, the suffering of Jesus Christ! Sinners and criminals do not feel this suffering of the servant. That is how you know they are not loved by God. Criminals mocked Him and rejoiced over the suffering and death of Jesus.
You have the education I don't have, something that is truly admirable. I respect that because what I know is so little. I know I have to support my family. That is why God gave me an earning. I owe God for this big time. I spend on my kids and my family to keep God benevolent to me. If I would spend on drinks and drugs and all that bad stuff, God would stop being benevolent to me. This much I know without theology. Would you be willing to risk the benevolence of God?
The reason we call God "our Father" is because He is a Father. If your child did drugs and other bad stuff, would you love your child any less and abandon him? Is this how a father acts toward his child, whom he profess to love and raise? God loves us because we are his children. Even if your child makes a mistake or a wrong, you will still love your child. God is the same way.
Matthew 7:9-11 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Dear curious, Yes I have a very extensive and in depth education thanks to the itinerary of Christian formation that I received through the neocatechumenal way. This makes me neither better or worse than u. It just puts me in the position to tell you that you are WRONG.
I quoted EXACTLY what you wrote. Maybe even you do not like hearing what you wrote.
Since you say you have not had this education, then have the humility to recognize when you are wrong and seek instruction. What you say you know without theology is FALSE. Not just part of it, all of it.
God loves the sinner. Jesus says that the good shepherd abandons the 99 sheep to go find the one that is lost. God’s benevolence does not depend on our good actions. You cannot buy gods love by being”good”. Christ took on the suffering of humanity, suffering caused by sin so the bigger the sinner the more Christ suffers for you. But the truth is that we are all big sinners. So if you consider yourself better than anybody else because you haven’t committed the sins they have, then you simply don’t know who you are and what you are capable of doing. And most gravely of all, you exclude yousrself from receiving the redemption of god that Christ won for us. If you are not a big sinner you don’t need the love of Jesus. Finally, christ offers us the possibility to unite our suffering to his so that we can experience his victory over sin and death and live his resurrection through the sacrament in particular the Eucharist. This is called the paschal mystery. So when you have a situation of suffering you can let Jesus resurrect you from it through the Eucharist. That is what the holy Roman Catholic Church says.
To share in the suffering of Christ does not mean to have warm fuzzy feelings in your heart. Or to cry tears because look at how much Christ suffered. To partake In the suffering of Christ means to be rejected, persecuted, abused slandered beaten and killed because you are a witness to jesus’ action. Like people are witnesses to the action of god by going on a pilgrimage to Rome. You are right in that it makes no rational sense unless you are a witness that god acts in ways that are not rational. And you cannot understand it unless you too are a witness. But you can be humble and say I don’t understand it.
Let’s see if you confess to being ignorant with humility or if you keep defending your falsehoods.
Communion is not resurrection for me. Resurrection is a divine act of taking up one;s body. Holy communion is more like a unification with Jesus' suffering on the cross in your whole body and soul. One receives His love in the pain one feels. We do have capacity for suffering just as our Lord had. Jesus is truly present in the Holy Host one receives on your tongue. Then you consume and it becomes your body. We are the Body of Christ, the church of the believer. How can you sin when you receive the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist?
Dear curious, See? I said it from my first answer: you do not want the truth because you think you know it. Useless to argue. You are blind because you say you see. Just Google paschal mystery.
curious - Christianity is not moralistic but a way of to live the Gospel. San Vitores and many other Saints. Prayer is good but announce him to those who don't know. You can't force anyone who has no faith to go to Church.
https://www.interris.it/religioni/neocatecumenali--il-papa-invier-nuovimissionari
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 8:47 am,
DeleteThank you. News report says there will be about 500,000 NCW members in Rome. Wow! 😀
Diana, I am praying that Pope Francis will announce to the 500,000 in Rome, that is the largest crowd ever on St. Peter's Square, that our Archbishop Apuron is still the Archbishop of Agana, because it is the truth! He was found innocent in most charges, convicted in minor violations only. This is the truth verified by canon lawyers! The Pope has to make sure the truth is heard all over in the church. This will be the time when we finally get peace at home.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 1:33 pm,
DeleteActually, I would like the Pope to visit Guam. ☺
Diana look at this http://www.lastampa.it/2018/04/19/vaticaninsider/francis-get-up-and-go-you-cant-evangelize-from-your-armchair-Y0QtkuiKO7k4JK6KR1nZ1I/pagina.html
ReplyDeleteIf you talk evangelization, you talk about the Neocatechumenal Way! We do the evangelization! We go even to Rome to evangelize. Don't you think many Italian people in Rome need to hear the Kerygma?! You bet they need you to go there and announce the Good New!
DeleteEven in Italy there are so many who don't know our father Abraham, our prophet Moses and the rest, even our Savior Christ! We have to tell them. We are going to march! Alleluia!
Dear Anonymous at 1:38 pm,
DeleteActually, every baptized Catholic are called to evangelize, not just the NCW.
Matthew 28:18-20
DeleteThen Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
The song ‘Go and Announce to My Brothers’ is based on this passage from the Gospel of Matthew.
Diana, you keep avoiding my question about the cost or your pilgrim tour. Not everybody can afford an expensive trip of over 7 days including very long flights between continents! Just think about a family with 3 or 4 kids. Who will go and who won't?
ReplyDeleteYou say God will provide. But what is your evidence? God is involved in helping the poor to survive giving them food, drink and dwelling. Will God also help the travelers? I pray for every Catholic from Guam who go with you, because they need my prayer. But who will stand the cost at the final countdown?
Dear curious,
DeleteThere are about 300 going to Rome. The 300 is the evidence.
Curious, if you're worried that the money came from the parish, don't. The money didn't come from the parish. I'm going on this trip too, and the money came from my savings and paycheck.
DeleteDear Curious at 1:45PM,
DeleteGod will provide. This is true.
God touches the hearts of family, friends, coworkers and others who may know a pilgrim desiring to go on the Rome pilgrimage. So they offer gifts of money, use of their credit card to buy airline ticket, money in exchange for service.
God inspires the pilgrim to be creative in fundraising. Bake sales. Lunch plates. Yard sales. Car washes. Sale of personally made rosaries, and other handicrafts.
Pay it forward. People who have been previously blessed, offer to pay forward a monetary gift to a pilgrim they may know.
In return for the gifts God provides, pilgrims pray for their family and benefactors.
God provides. God answers prayers. God is faithful.
Because we are going as a family, we did a lot of fundraising. My husband and I fundraised (mostly lunch plates) at work. Our co-workers were very supportive. Our friends and relatives also helped us with the fundraising. We knew about the Rome Pilgrimage since October when it was announced at the Beginning of the Year Convivience. So we had about six months to fundraise and save money for all of us to go.
DeleteDear Chelu, this is my concern. You confirmed that the trip is on credit. Many of you will go into debt form years to come! I am curious when you have to pay back your credit card debt in predatory interest rate, would you still be able to buy the food to your kids they need for proper nutrition? I am curious when the next installment of payment is due, will you go on overtime in your job and deprive your kids from quality time at home?
DeleteYou make businesses and credit companies rich for the enjoyment of a few days oversees. Travel agencies and tourist industry will report outstanding profit from the pilgrims! Meantime, the poor remain poor on island. You say you will have great spiritual time with your leaders in the NCW and Pope Francis will attend. Very good! But I am curious what is the benefit for the church? What is the benefit for Guam? What is the benefit for the poor?
You say you announce the Kerygma to the pagans. But there are no pagans in Vatican city! Or do you think, they are waiting for you to convert?
I feel your enthusiasm and I applaud your adventurous endeavor. I pray for your success. But I am curious if it is good for the faithful and the little kids. I am just afraid that the final cost will be overwhelming for many.
Dear Curious,
DeleteWhere did Chelu Peskadot say anything about credit cards???
Dear Curious at 3:06PM,
DeleteWhy are you making the pilgrims’ financial affairs your problem? Why do you question a person’s desire to make a pilgrimage? You ask “What is the benefit for the poor?”
From Matthew 26:6-13
Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, “Why this waste? It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor.” Since Jesus knew this, he said to them, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me. In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.”
From Matthew 6:31-33
So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness,* and all these things will be given you besides.
From our walk in our communities, from the Celebrations of the Word, scrutinies of scripture passages, we grow our faith in God. We treasure in our hearts the Words of God such as the above.
I encourage you ‘Curious’ to believe and trust in God.
Dear Chelu, I believe in God and I trust Him. He gave me curiosity to use for the benefit of all. When people are spending a lot of money, other people always get rich. This is the rule of money, the empire of Mammon. He defines money matters and all we can do, we suffer. So we need precaution when we endeavor in spending. Is this not convincing for you?
Delete"Why do you question a person’s desire to make a pilgrimage?", you ask me. I don't question the desire. But I am curious about the a shaky investment of money into something that won't produce the means of return. My experience is that people are working hard for money and they should have the full control of spending their momey wisely, for the bare necessities of their family, especially is they have a lot of kids. I have heard people in the NCW usually have large family and a lot of kids.
You quoted Matt 26:6-13. But this parable is of Jesus! The leper woman spent expensive lotion on Jesus because He was around. It was a very special time when our Lord Jesus dwelled among us! I wish I would have lived then! Nowadays, there is no Jesus walking around anymore. So why are you spending your expensive stuff on costly trips?
I bear responsibility for the well-being of my kids. You go to a foreign country and trust yourselves and your little ones on people you don't know. Is this a responsible thing to do? How about those among you who have diabetes or are on special diet? You will be treated as foreigners and searched as potential bad guys for weapons. Do you need that humiliation in a far-away country?
Of course you all know what you are doing. You are adults who bear the same responsibility for your beloved as I do. I am curious of what is the whole point you do this, because I just don't get it. Nevertheless, I'll pray for you, especially for the kids on pilgrimage with you so that they don't suffer the challenges you all will have to face in foreign land.
Dear Curious,
DeleteThis website below explains the purpose of a pilgrimage.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.catholicfaithstore.com/daily-bread/real-meaning-pilgrimage-catholics/amp/
@ Mr. Curious
DeleteAnyone that worries as much about money as you do is either Tim Rohr or a friend of his.
If you are blinded by greed and avarice, how can you expect to believe that God can provide for 300 pilgrims? Don't you see in your words the same words of the money-loving-disciples (led by Judas?) “Why this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for a large sum, and given to the poor.” (Mt 26:8-9)
Isn't it 'curious' (pun intended Mr. Curious) that this story of the Gospel is followed by Judas deciding to betray Jesus? Just as Tim Rohr decided to persecute the NCW as soon as money became part of the conversation.
Dear Curious at 6:57PM,
DeleteYou ask good questions and wonder why people are not more responsible for the well-being of their family. To think of the future of loved ones, to have a budget and ensure that everything goes according to the plan the head of the household has set for the future and security of the family. This was my way of thinking too, many years ago.
But not everything went according to my plan. I won’t get into specifics. But life events, work events, health events happens which derails a plan. I lost control and felt so helpless. Walking in the Way helped me to discover that my plan was not God’s plan. My eyes were opened to see the foolishness of my plan and who I hurt along the way to make sure things did go my way. I learned that God allowed me to have all these experiences. But God trusted that I would see the weak sinner I was. In God’s love and mercy, He gave his son Jesus Christ to die for the forgiveness of my sins. How could I not ask for the forgiveness of those I hurt? God’s love and mercy radiated even more in doing this!
God showed me concretely his love, mercy and providence. A couple years ago, I experienced chest pain, back pain and soon was not able to walk. I was in GMH for about a month and then later in a hospital in the Philippines for another month for back surgery. During these two months, I was literally lying in bed completely helpless. But God provided everything I needed – doctors, nurses, technicians, food, medicine. Many priests, deacons, seminarians and brothers in community visited me. I did not ask for any of this. I was simply helpless lying in bed. I was overwhelmed with God’s providence! One night, God spoke to me and said “See. I am all you need.”
God knows well what you need. Why? God loves you.
Dear Chelu, it is good you feel God helped you in your illness and recovery. Also some professionals with learned skills. You needed both God and the professionals for healing. This is so good that happened!
DeleteBut how is this related to a monetary investment into a pilgrim project to see the Pope? The Pope did not heal you. Was it not God and the professionals in the hospital who healed you?
Dear curious
DeletePeople who ask these kinds of questions is because they don't believe God exists. In it's essence it is a blasphemy against God. Your question can be reworded to say how can God provide for a bunch of people who want to go to Rome and I work my ass off to feed my children. The answer is easy you lack the courage to risk and trust that God exists and provides so you will continue to slave away in fear that Godbl will not provide and allow you to suffer.
Dear Curious at 1:58PM,
DeleteThe point is this: Everything is a gift from God.
We cannot claim sole credit for all that we have. God made everything possible. God made it possible for your parents to meet each other and for you to be born into this world. God made it possible for you to have the life you have with all its blessings and sufferings to make you the person you are today. God gives you the gift of free will to choose what you want to do. And is there to comfort you when things do not go according to your plan. God, the loving Father he is, trusts you will learn from your experiences. That you will reflect on your history from childhood to where you are now. To realize that He was always with you. And upon this enlightenment, to thank God, praise God, bring the Good News of his son Jesus Christ to others. Because you are a gift from God. Made in His image.
Dear Chelu, yes it is very good to know that Jesus was, is and will be with me in my life path, during my challenges and ordeals. I appreciate that you did not try to sweep away my question and concern. Some arrogant people try to belittle the Jesus that lives in you. They think they know it better. They talk about theology but theology does not give you faith. Theology is thinking of God and not believing in God.
DeleteI feel the love of Jesus when I walk with Him the 12 Stations of the Way of the Cross. I know this is such a little thing. Jesus only allows me to suffer with Him. But how can one say this is false? What is love if not this?
Jesus is with His faithful, even if we don't go to Rome. But I am fine with people's pilgrimage if this was their decision and not a decision others made for them. Jesus is my God, the Alpha and the Omega. God bless your trip.
Curious booked and confirmed. Believed that.
ReplyDelete"Nowadays, there is no Jesus walking around anymore. So why are you spending your expensive stuff on costly trips?"
ReplyDeleteCurious, I do not comment often but I have to respond to this last statement and all the things you been posting. I do not condemn but out of love, God has a word just for you. I hope you read this. God loves you just the way you are and His Son, Jesus Christ, is alive and well in your life even today through the Holy Spirit. Do not let the devil let you think otherwise "...and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt 28:20
And do not give into the devil's lies that God does not provide for this pilgrimage or even for you in your history. God loves his people, so much that you and I simply exist. Can you explain how you even exist right now? Simply, through God's providence. What more can he provide if you trust in God completely in your life and not your bank balance. Do not doubt and fall into the lie of the devil that money rules everything. God conquers these lies of the devil. Sacrifice a little and see how God can make this tangible in your life. I understand how all this does not make sense right now and you want answers; how everything needs to have a paper trail and accountability, but these are all facets of a world that ingrained in us that money is everything. God has come to not destroy the law but fulfill it. He is the only thing that gives us life, not money. If you try and humble yourself to understand it on the basic level of life, you can see, God provides even for you and for me, today and everyday, by your and my very existence. Peace be with you and pray for you.
Dear Vincent, I feel the love of Jesus when I walk the Stations of the Cross. Jesus suffered for me to show His love on the way of sorrows on Golgotha. Mammon is ready to steal your conscience. He wants you to give your money to him. But is it not better to spend your money on your kids and your family to show your care for them?
DeleteGod provides for the needy, but He does not provide for the rich who can afford expensive trips around the world. The rich can provide for themselves from their wealth. It is the poor and downtrodden who needs the Providence for their survival.
My existence has nothing to do with the love of God. Many bad guys who don't believe, sinners and criminals also exist. The globe is full of them all around. They are not loved by God. But Jesus loves me because He died on the cross.
Dear curious
DeleteSo god loves u and doesn’t love criminals and sinners ... but he loves u. What makes u so special? I thought Jesus died for everyone.
Kinda makes me wonder what the heck am I doing going to confession if god does not love me a criminal and a sinner. Can u explain that? Or maybe u have never sinned? Or maybe you do not sin anymore.
Have u read what the cdf has written about neopelagianism and neopaganism? I think it would help u understand why what you are saying IS NOT CATHOLIC!
But I’ve discovered that the more mealy-mouthed their tone is, the less capable of dialogue and theological understanding they are. Dialogue is impossible w honeyed tongues that spit venom.
“They are not loved by God but Jesus loves me” sounds like “thank you lord that I am not like the sinners like that publican” remember what Jesus said about that Pharisee?
“He wants you to give your money to him but is it not better to spend your money on your kids” do you even realize what you write? OMgosh!!!!
Definitely don’t bother reading what official church doctrine says. You wouldn’t get it.
NB
Dear NB, you amazes me as you talk like a person of authority. When I walk the Stations of the Cross, I feel the love of Jesus. I only say this. I did not say what you wrote. I feel the Lord's suffering in my bones, in my body, in my soul. You know that Jesus loves you when you suffer. Because He is there in suffering. Wherever there is suffering, Jesus is there.
DeleteJesus is fully human. This is what I heard from theologians. So He suffers as humans. He is also God so His suffering is universal. The whole universe is His suffering, the suffering of Jesus Christ! Sinners and criminals do not feel this suffering of the servant. That is how you know they are not loved by God. Criminals mocked Him and rejoiced over the suffering and death of Jesus.
You have the education I don't have, something that is truly admirable. I respect that because what I know is so little. I know I have to support my family. That is why God gave me an earning. I owe God for this big time. I spend on my kids and my family to keep God benevolent to me. If I would spend on drinks and drugs and all that bad stuff, God would stop being benevolent to me. This much I know without theology. Would you be willing to risk the benevolence of God?
Dear Curious,
DeleteThe reason we call God "our Father" is because He is a Father. If your child did drugs and other bad stuff, would you love your child any less and abandon him? Is this how a father acts toward his child, whom he profess to love and raise? God loves us because we are his children. Even if your child makes a mistake or a wrong, you will still love your child. God is the same way.
Matthew 7:9-11 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Dear curious,
DeleteYes I have a very extensive and in depth education thanks to the itinerary of Christian formation that I received through the neocatechumenal way. This makes me neither better or worse than u. It just puts me in the position to tell you that you are WRONG.
I quoted EXACTLY what you wrote. Maybe even you do not like hearing what you wrote.
Since you say you have not had this education, then have the humility to recognize when you are wrong and seek instruction. What you say you know without theology is FALSE. Not just part of it, all of it.
God loves the sinner. Jesus says that the good shepherd abandons the 99 sheep to go find the one that is lost. God’s benevolence does not depend on our good actions. You cannot buy gods love by being”good”. Christ took on the suffering of humanity, suffering caused by sin so the bigger the sinner the more Christ suffers for you. But the truth is that we are all big sinners. So if you consider yourself better than anybody else because you haven’t committed the sins they have, then you simply don’t know who you are and what you are capable of doing. And most gravely of all, you exclude yousrself from receiving the redemption of god that Christ won for us. If you are not a big sinner you don’t need the love of Jesus. Finally, christ offers us the possibility to unite our suffering to his so that we can experience his victory over sin and death and live his resurrection through the sacrament in particular the Eucharist. This is called the paschal mystery. So when you have a situation of suffering you can let Jesus resurrect you from it through the Eucharist. That is what the holy Roman Catholic Church says.
To share in the suffering of Christ does not mean to have warm fuzzy feelings in your heart. Or to cry tears because look at how much Christ suffered. To partake In the suffering of Christ means to be rejected, persecuted, abused slandered beaten and killed because you are a witness to jesus’ action. Like people are witnesses to the action of god by going on a pilgrimage to Rome. You are right in that it makes no rational sense unless you are a witness that god acts in ways that are not rational. And you cannot understand it unless you too are a witness. But you can be humble and say I don’t understand it.
Let’s see if you confess to being ignorant with humility or if you keep defending your falsehoods.
NB
Communion is not resurrection for me. Resurrection is a divine act of taking up one;s body. Holy communion is more like a unification with Jesus' suffering on the cross in your whole body and soul. One receives His love in the pain one feels. We do have capacity for suffering just as our Lord had. Jesus is truly present in the Holy Host one receives on your tongue. Then you consume and it becomes your body. We are the Body of Christ, the church of the believer. How can you sin when you receive the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist?
DeleteDear curious,
DeleteSee? I said it from my first answer: you do not want the truth because you think you know it. Useless to argue. You are blind because you say you see. Just Google paschal mystery.
NB
curious - Christianity is not moralistic but a way of to live the Gospel. San Vitores and many other Saints. Prayer is good but announce him to those who don't know. You can't force anyone who has no faith to go to Church.
ReplyDeleteLuis L. Carino ====> Espana