Today, while watching a funny sitcom with some friends I am shocked by what my thoughts are regarding the situation portrayed in the sitcom. I was watching Friends and the episode shows where Ross got kicked out of his apartment and so has to live with Chandler and Joey. Ross has some very annoying habits which irritates the both of them and furthermore Ross was acting like he was the one who owns the place. This got to the point where Chandler and Joey dropped hints like "Oh, the newspaper is full of ads today about apartments for rent". I was shocked about what came to my mind because I thought that if I had been in that situation I would tell my friend upfront that he was acting like he owns the place which is not appropriate and that if he doesn't stop it I would have to ask him to leave. Never mind that my friend might be jobless or in a very bad situation. It was a bit scary for me that I got goosebumps immediately. I am not that kind of friend at all and 3 years back, I would never even have considered that scenario. But now, there's a very tiny chance that I would consider doing that especially after all I've been taught at school about being assertive and stuff. Sometimes din, in some situations I'm torn between being assertive and just being patient with another person. Funny how so much can changed that sometimes I wonder if I've really changed for the better or if all I'm doing is putting up a mask around the people around me. :(
Lord, illuminate my thoughts and always be here with me in times of doubts and despair. :(
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Now playing: Basil Valdez - Hindi Kita Malilimutan
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Some reflections on vocation crisis
from my friendster blog taken last march This pic was taken last June 2k5. From left to right Jayson, Danilo, Daniel, John, Don2x, Jo-i and Jack.
Updates: Jayson-graduated this year but left the seminary last year. Now a call centre agent.
Danilo-still in the postulancy
Daniel-left the postulancy this August
John-still in the postulancy
Don2x-also left the seminary last year. Now in PMA.
Jo.i-left the Postulancy last month
Jack-now in Postulancy 2 (teaching HS religion and values for a year) but has a gf. Says, this March (more or less) will decide which path he wants to take.
Before, I used to think that formators and spiritual directors in the seminary would get very disappointed whenever some promising seminarian decides to leave (at least to some extent). Lately however, I've realized that i think they do not feel that way at all (it’s probably subjective). Of course they will be a bit disappointed but i mean only for a short while. When i was in the Redem seminary last month, Fr. Pio even said na kung asa siya malipayon eh bahala siya (in response to someone teasing a seminarian that he might leave the seminary). Before as well, i used to think that i know for certain who will certainly end up as priests but now I know it's not as simple as that. It’s because I now know that in discernment there is never 100% clarity. A lot of it has to be taken on faith. Before too, I used to be puzzled and be in a state of disbelief whenever someone will tell me that they are not sure on becoming a priest especially if I can see that being in the seminary have led them to live good Christian lives and that I can really see that they have way loads of potential to become an outstanding priest. On the way to becoming one, there will always be temptations and trials and some of the culprits for this one are of course the heart and yes, human frailty. I mean it's not easy of course because of trials (physical, spiritual, financial) but throw love into the equation and it becomes a very messy affair and it really needs discernment to know which one of these paths you should take. I’ve also come to realized that sometimes we (we who always tell you that you should become a priest and so on) put a lot of pressure on you guys. What I mean by this is that perhaps there might be a time when you would actually want to quit your vocation but due to the majority of people believing in you then choose not to (I was gonna ask if this is a good or bad thing but then again I think I already know the answer). I also wanted to ask what is the best way to show our support for seminarians like you (tell you that whatever decision you choose we will be with you 100% or tell you to never give up on your vocation) but I guess there is no best way. Instead, I think we need to listen and understand what's there in your hearts. However, because of human frailty too then sometimes we miss that point entirely. But we (the ones who would like very much to see you seminarians ordained) only do this because sometimes we THINK that you've made a wrong decision and that perhaps you're not perfectly rationale when you made that decision (life-changing decisions if you get my drift.)and of course because we're your friends so we're concerned and I mean really concerned when we think you've made a wrong decision. However, you of all people know what's best for you right so I'd tell you to do what your heart tells you to but only do it after long periods of discernment. You might regret it afterwards di ba? It's better to suffer a few months or years of pain than to suffer an entire lifetime of regret. However, I also know from experience that everything and I mean EVERYTHING happens for a reason and perhaps it really is intended that you choose that decision (if ever you decide to quit). We might not understand why you did what you did at first (if we're not close) but I know from experience that later on we would understand it. However, it's there in the book By the River Piedra that a man can still serve God even if he's not in the priesthood di ba? However, you should also realize that you can't have the best of both worlds. Hehe! So guys, whatever becomes of your vocation. I hope that before you do any life-changing decisions, do it only after really discerning it. Don't make any hasty decisions. God bless us all!
P.S.
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Now playing: beach boys - Kokomo
via FoxyTunes
Love and Letting Go
Due to boredom, I decided to watch Brother Bear 2 on dvd which of course came from the Philippines since it's cheaper there. Got it for only $2 and it's 18 in 1 pa. Beat that! Haha! While watching the movie, I think I've now understand what it means to really let go. Koda (the little bear)loved Kenai (the man who became a bear) very much ever since his mother died and they would always go everywhere and do everything together. In short, they're inseparable. Kenai met Nita (his "childhood friend") again and he was a bit jealous of Nita because Kenai seems to pay much attention to Nita now instead of him. They have adventures and all but in the end Koda asked the spirits to change Kenai back into a man. Because even though Kenai said that he would never leave Koda because he is his "brother" (technically, they're not brothers but if you've seen the first movie you get my point), Koda could see that Kenai is not "happy". So even though Koda would liked very much (as in very much) to have Kenai remain with him, Koda choose to consider Kenai's happiness first before his own. In doing so, he really did something which was quite mature for his age di ba? It's probably because he realised that what good is it if Kenai remained with him and Koda would be very happy but seeing a sad look on Kenai's face is not something he wanted to see.
We don't need our loved ones to be near us all the time. Just seeing and knowing they're happy is enough for the people who truly love them.
P.S.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5a.
The ending is really great although I somehow expected it. The movie did not do as well as the first one but I somehow liked it because of the lessons I've learned from watching it. Hehe!
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Now playing: The Parachute Band - How Do You Say I Love You
via FoxyTunes
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