Believe and be Hopeful (12/19)

Gospel: Luke 1:5-25

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. ~ Luke 1:13

Year 2001 I was diagnosed with “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome” with multiple cysts on both sides of my ovaries. My gynecologist suggested me to settle down at least by the age of 25 because when I reached 30’s, it would be very difficult for me to bear a child. I have to undergo treatment and will keep me a minimum of 2 years to conceive. At that moment, I really wanted to cry in front of my doctor, I felt so disappointed and hurt with the bad news I just heard. I wasn’t expecting that at my very young age I had to suffer from that kind of health condition which may lead to infertility. I really cried when I told my eldest sister and my mom about my health condition. They comforted and gave me hope that someday I will have my own children, just have to follow and cooperate with my doctor for the treatment and proper medication but I was really hopeless and came to a point that I even questioned Him “Why me Lord? I really love babies. I always wanted to have my own kids when I get married”.

For more than two years in SFC community, I just received the answer to my question last week and I know that God used “Daily Manna”, particularly Sis Dred who represented “Angel Gabriel” in the bible verse as an instrument to deliver the message and an affirmation that “it’s never too late…your question has been answered” and I claimed it. PRAISE GOD!

I see myself in Zechariah when he said to Angel Gabriel “How can I know this? I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years”. But the angel replied “I am Gabriel, who stands in God's presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news.” Zechariah and Elizabeth “were upright in the sight of God and impeccably carried out all the commandments and observances of the Lord” but we can see the doubt from Zechariah when he asked Angel Gabriel instead of just saying thank you Lord. Sometimes when we are praying we tend to have a doubt in what we are praying for and we want an immediate answer. We never realize that God is just preparing us to receive the answer or God might give us a better answer in His own perfect time. My fiancée is always telling me that a baby is a blessing from God, we should be hopeful that God will bless us with a very healthy baby in His own perfect time. As we are preparing for our marriage, I am always praying and even tried nine-day novena to Immaculate Concepcion, hoping that all the cysts in my ovaries should be discharged, ovaries will be in normal size and my health condition will be more okay so I will bear child even if I get married at early 30’s.

At first I was hesitant to share but immediately after I read the bible verse I said “YES!” I come to realize that same with Elizabeth and Zechariah they are hopelessly praying and waiting for a gift of child but they are too old and Elizabeth was barren, who were not capable to bear a child but God’s grace and blessing always come in a perfect time. All our prayers have an answer, we just need to wait patiently and believe that God is a faithful and a generous God.

Sis Jnis

Unit 7

Open arms (12/18)

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. ~ Luke 1:38


In this Gospel, we as Christians are challenged on how we will respond to God’s calling. Sometimes, we too are puzzled why such thing is happening to us. But just like Mary, we too must surrender our whole self to God and say YES to His call. Always remember that God has a great plan for us and can do impossible thing in us.

The dialogue between Gabriel and Mary outlines the journey in any call. I can relate this Gospel to my personal experience when I first join the SFC Community. I know He has a wonderful plan why I was able to know this community; and without hesitation, I said yes to Him. My journey with the community moves from bewilderment to certainty. God just want me to experience how great His love for me is. And as I go on with my fruitful journey, the challenge for me now is to share and bring more souls to Him; by accepting and saying “yes” through guiding our brothers and sisters in Christ and taking this great responsibility in my hand. I believe that there is nothing impossible with God, and He will guide me all the way throughout this journey.

Mother Mary’s “yes” to our Creator makes a new move; a move to make us whole and be saved. With me saying “yes,” to God, I know I can make a move as well to help our brothers and sisters to know more about God.

Sis Jhen

Unit 7

He is love and he is our life! (12/15)

Gospel: Luke 7:24-30

This is the one about whom it is written:    “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,    who will prepare your way before you.’. ~ Luke 7:27


In today’s gospel, Jesus praises John for the person that he is and for the responsibility he has. This serves as a beautiful guide for all of us who in a way feels threatened by the presence of those people who are more popular or better than us. In this reading, we are reminded that God has placed us in this world for a purpose and that varies according to our abilities.

We are living in this world to serve Him by means of love. Being a part of the SFC Music Ministry is a way of executing my purpose through service. Sharing a part of my time through praising and singing expresses my gratitude for all the blessings He has provided me everyday. God is love and He is our life.

Sis Rubychiel

Unit 7

It will come... (12/14)

Gospel:  Luke 7: 18 - 23

he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”. ~ Luke 7:19

We must see what God is doing in our lives and be open to His call - for it will come... but only if we listen. Let God be the center of your family and circle of friends. Walk with Him continuously and you will renounce sin, learn to love, and the things that you must do will work out prosperously for you. God is the one who has come into our lives and who is asking us to follow Him. We only need to say “yes” to His call.  

St. John of the Cross, we ask you to intercede for us in Heaven, and help us find silence and listen to the voice of God in our lives that, through our thoughts, words, deeds, and actions, we might lead others to Him.

Sis Juliet
Unit 7

Say "YES" to GOD with all your HEART (12/13)

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. ~ Matthew 21:32


Do we realize how often we question GOD in HIS purpose?
How often we take HIM for granted and how often we disappoint HIM?

Countless. Isn't it?

Everyone is called by God to experience His love but not all of us respond.
There are many of us who say "YES" to HIM but  couldn’t stand for it, and there are others who say "NO" yet still follow even if they have to struggle.

Our faith in GOD will not be based merely by praising Him with our lips but more of living a life that He wanted us to live - that is to follow HIS will.

It's difficult to profess faith when life gets tough and the world seems unfair.
But remember that God has a better idea when things aren't going the way we wanted to. We just have to remain faithful like He does for us.

Never doubt God's promises. He will never abandon us no matter what.
He will understand and accept us wholeheartedly despite of our unpleasing actions.
This is how great our GOD is.

May God be praised.

Sis Valerie
Unit 7