The Lord, My Healer

             “If only I could touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed.” (Mark  5:28)

This was the wish of the woman who suffered from hemorrhage for twelve years.  She knew she would be healed if she could only touch the cloak of Jesus.  Though weak and drained, she pushed her way through the crowd, elbowing between people. She had to reach Jesus and touch his cloak.  And she made it! Her bleeding stopped instantly when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment.  Her faith has healed her. “Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace.” That was what Jesus told her when he realized that power had gone out of him. 

For 8 years, I was afflicted, on and off, with hyperthyroidism and underwent medication, series of laboratory tests and thyroid scans.  “If only I could touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed.” This was my prayer when Fr. Fernando Suarez, the healing priest, came to our place for healing sessions.  I was blessed to be given the opportunity to serve in one of his healing masses and there I witnessed how God used Fr. Suarez to touch and heal the sick, rich and poor people alike. Many people gave their amazing testimonies on how the Lord healed them that moment.  Truly, God cannot be outdone in His goodness and generosity.  He works in His own mysterious ways.  I remember that woman in the Bible who suffered from hemorrhage and her only hope then was to be able to touch Jesus’ cloak in order to be healed.  My hope and prayer was to be given the chance to be prayed over by Father Suarez and it happened.  I felt a surge of warmth sensation ran through my whole body the moment Fr. Suarez touched my heart. I knew and I claimed that I was healed.

Last Sunday, I hosted a BCBP (Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals) prayer meeting in our home.  It was a very fruitful and enlightening session.  My brothers and sisters in the BCBP, in knowing that I would be leaving to undergo radioactive iodine treatment, prayed over me and my daughter Jenny, who is in her fifth month of pregnancy. It was the most wonderful and uplifting healing prayer I have ever heard! The presence of the Lord then was unmistakably felt.  I knew in my heart that I am completely healed and made whole again. 

Indeed, I am healed and I am claiming it! Yesterday, after reading my laboratory tests and thyroid scan results, the endocrinologist informed me that everything is normal and no need for me to go through the radioactive iodine treatment (which I really dreaded for months for fear of its risks and after effects).  The Lord, in His loving compassion and mercy, has healed me by sending earthly angels through Fr Fernando Suarez, my brothers and sisters in the BCBP, my family, friends and officemates who interceded for my healing. There is really great power in intercessory prayer!  

I can only thank the Lord, my Healer, by sharing this experience to people like you who will be reading this blog.  And I pray that you, too, may find comfort and healing in whatever burden you may have at the moment. 

God bless us all!

God whispered to me today....

Dear Jeannette,

Did you sleep well last night? If you’re losing sleep over something, entrust that concern to me. Worrying won’t get anything done. But praying about them will give you peace and deeper trust in Me.

Prince of Peace,
God
P.S. Jeannette, remember that nothing is impossible for Me. So tonight, have a restful sleep and trust that I bless My beloved as they slumber.

Restore My Hands

      I always look forward to Sundays. Not only because it is a respite from the busy time of life but also a time for family bonding and most especially, time to attend to our Sunday obligation, our divine appointment with God.  This Sunday's homily by Rev. Fr. Benjie Badajos struck me, particularly the story about the missing hands of God...

     A man had this dream. He was meditating in front of Jesus on the Cross when he noticed that Jesus had no hands. He asked the Lord, "O dear Lord, where are your hands? Who cut it off?"  Jesus answered, "My hands are busy helping the poor, curing the sick, giving food to the hungry and embracing those who needed my hands most."  The man, in his confusion, asked, "Lord, what do You want me to do for You so I could bring You back your missing hands?" 

     Jesus replied, "Be my hands. Help those who are in need.  Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked.  Visit and reach out to the sick. Give a hug to those who need the warmth of my embrace. Then and only then can you restore My Hands."

     As I was listening intently to the homily, I suddenly remember Janine, my youngest daughter, who is now in her 3rd year in college.  One day, she, nonchalantly, told me that she wanted to help send a child to school. Disbelief was my first reaction but I didn't let her hear that thought for fear that I would discourage her from doing this noble deed.  To cut the story short, after talking to a father, whom I know has nine children, Janine is now being able to help send six -year-old Cyrus to a kindergarten school out of her savings.  She plans to see him through until college.

    This made me feel so blessed and ecstatically happy, knowing that my daughter has developed a compassionate heart for the poor.  The seed that we have planted has produced its fruits.  When my children were growing up, they met people who would always come to our house for even their most trivial need like food for a meal, medicine for sick relatives or a place to stay for the night. During Christmas, I would always prepare extra food (Christmas recipes) and gifts not for my family but for some people in depressed areas whom we would be visiting and those from our farm in a  far-flung village who would spend the day with us. These and many other opportunities to serve the needy were witnessed by my children as they grew up. 
     Jesus gave us the best examples of unconditional love and compassion when He reached out His hands to His neighbors, the poor, the sick and the needy. In the Bible, you would always read the text, "Jesus was moved with compassion" or "He was moved with pity."
     Janine was moved with pity and compassion.  In her own little way, she is Jesus' hands reaching out to little Cyrus and no one can take that away from her.  She has responded to Our Lord's plea when He said, "Restore my hands...."
     Will you respond too?

Janine, my daughter...

(from L to R) Jenny (my eldest daughter), Janine, my mom, my dad, me

God whispered to me today...

Dear Jeannette,

 

Do you know that I treasure every tear that you shed? When you are sorrowful and miserable, it breaks My heart. But find comfort in the knowledge that I am never far from you. I am always close when you need Me.

 

Your Consoler,

God

 

P.S. Jeannette, run into my waiting arms and receive My embrace.

God Whispers

Everyday God whispers to me His messages through emails sent to me by Bo Sanchez.  And I must tell you that these messages always come in time whenever I need it most...really, God works in His own mysterious ways.  I want to share with you what God whispered to me today...

Dear Jeannette,

 

You may feel that evil surrounds you and trouble is all around. My presence may seem far away and help is nowhere to be found. But fear not. I have conquered the world. And you are on My side.

 

Everlastingly yours,

God

 

P.S. Jeannette, you are more than a conqueror in Me.

"Teodora" .....My Mother

She is the SUN that rises in the east

radiantly streaming her rays through the trees.

She is the JEWEL in our palace

whose price is far above rubies.

She is the gentle BREEZE

that touches my skin in the morning.

She is the budding FLOWER

bursting with the scent of spring.

She is the ROSE CANARY outside

that sings the sweetest song ever.

She is the cool refreshing WATER

running down from the mountain.

And she is the HEART that never stops beating

to live in order to love and give life.

She is "TEODORA"….

      my beloved MOTHER.

Happy Mother’s Day Mommy! I love you…

p.s. this was published in my facebook notes last may, 2011

Thank you Daddy....

Thank you for calling me your Princess Ti,
From the time I was a little girl
Until now that I am already a granny,
I want you to know that it made me feel special;

Thank you for the first prayer that you’ve taught me,
 It became the first prayer of my children
And now it is the first prayer of Uno, my grandson;

Thank you for motivating me to read a lot,
For this art has helped me reach the place where I am now;

Thank you for teaching me that life is all about mathematics,
I learned how to add, subtract, multiply and divide
And live life to the fullest, no matter how hard it is;

Thank you for the scriptural passages you text me every day,
It has continuously guided me to walk the path of righteousness;

Most of all…
Thank you Daddy for loving Mommy so much,
It has taught me the real meaning of love…
That it does not measure…it just gives…

                                           










I love you Daddy…Happy Father’s Day!!

 p.s….this article was published in my facebook notes last june, 2011, my father’s day gift for my dad..

Re-posted for: Sunday Scribblings # 313- Reflect