We are sharing to the Community a digest of the teaching and reflection given by Bro. Ariel Pastoral, Servant Leader – Pastoral, during the Corporate Worship at BLD San Pedro last November 17.

We do not know when the Lord is coming and Bro. Ariel has outlined nine ways for us to be ready at any time. Among these, we would like to stress the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As the title of the Sacrament signifies, we cut our personal relationship with the Lord when we allow ourselves to be ensnared by the evil forces to commit transgressions such as involvement with a third party and unforgiveness, which are difficult to overcome. This simply means that until such time that we go back to Christ and be reconciled with Him, we are not within His grace no matter how long and how active we may have beeni n the Community. Receiving the Holy Eucharist under such state is also blasphemy.

Here is the teaching and reflection.

Ang mga pagbasa sa Magandang Balita ay nagpapahiwatig nadapat tayong maging laging handang harapin ang ating sariling kahatulan sapagkat hindi natin alam ang pagdating ng ating sariling kamatayan at ang muling pagbabalik ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo. Bakit tayo kailangang maging mapagbantay sa tuwina? Sapagkat ang diablo, hari ng kasinungalingan ay patuloy ding umaali – aligid sa atin na parang leon upang tayo’y sakmalin. Ang dyablo ay hindi kailanman mapapagod upang tayo ay tuksuhin sa ating mga kahinaan at lubusang suwayin ang ating Diyos hanggang tayo ay mapunta sa impyerno. Ang hari ng kadiliman ay naglagay ng pitong malalaking bitag upang tayo ay mahulog sa kanyang mga patibong. Ito ay tinatawag na seven deadly sins. They are pride o kayabangan at pagsuway. Dito nahulog si Eba at si Adan ang una nating mga magulang. Kinain ang mansanas sa paniniwalang sila ay magiging Diyos din. At patuloy na marami ang nahuhulog dito, ang mga gutom sa kapangyarihan at kasikatan. Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall (Proverbs 16:18).Envy o pagkamaingit o kalungkutan sa magandang kapalaran ng iba.Nalulungkot ba tayo sa magandang buhay ng kapit bahay natin? Nalulungkot ba tayo sa promosyon ng ating kaopisina?Gluttony, katakawan sapagkain at inumin, pagkagumon sa sigarilyo at ipinagbabawal na gamot.Sloth o katamaran.Ayaw man lang tumulong sa gawaing bahay.When we always give in to laziness then we are a rich ground for temptation. Do not allow yourself to be caught doing nothing for God.Kapag tayo po ay walang ginagawa yan ang gustung gusto ni Taning upang tayo ay mapag laruan niya.Lust o kahalayan, sobrang pagnanasa sa laman, pornography. Avarice or greed pagkaganid sa kayamanan at kaswapangan,wrath/anger pagkapoot o sobrang pagkagalit. 1 John 2:9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.

Ngayon, paano natin maipapakita ang ating magiting na pagbabantay upang maiwasan natin ang mga bitag na ito ng dyablo?

First and foremost is the frequent attendance to the Holy Sacrifice of the mass. Holy mass gives spiritual graces such as repentance for sins, victory over temptations and the grace to walk in the ways of God. It is the most effectual means for obtaining from God the grace of final perseverance for eternal salvation.
Second is receiving worthily the Holy Eucharist as frequently as possible. During Communion, Christ comes to us, lives with us and offers us infinite love. In John 6:54 “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
Third is taking advantage of Confession or Sacrament of Reconciliation. Sinfulness is part of the human condition – one that separates us from Christ. Christ offers us a way to put our sins behind us and to experience once again his loving embrace through the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation. Frequent confession gives us the grace to weed out our weaknesses.
Fourth is everyday examination of conscience, in order to grow in virtue and “grow out “of sin. A brief examination of conscience on our actions, words, and thoughts every night before going to bed is a good practice. Ask God for forgiveness for all your venial sins and if you commit a mortal sin be truly sorry for that sin and immediately go to confession as soon as possible.
Fifth is learning to love our Blessed Mother. Through Mary, we meet Christ and through Mary’s prayers we are brought closer to Christ. Pray the Holy Rosary everyday and pray it well.
Sixth is to develop a life of prayer. Every moment is an opportunity for prayer and if we pray we are all powerful. Each time we pray we are drawn closer to God.
Seventh, encounter Jesus in the Scripture, draw power from the Word of God by reading the Bible daily. Let the Word of God embrace you everyday. Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of God.
Eight, make saints as our model; they are our example. They have walked the road towards holiness. Ask their intercession for us to be holy.
Ninth, be of service to others. The outreaches that we are doing is one of the ways of serving others. “Whatever you do to the least of my people you do it for me. “ Mat. 25:40

Dapat nating bigyang halaga ang lahat ng paraan tungo sa masigasig at mahigpit nating pagbabantay. Kailangan nating isabuhay ang siyam na pamamaran upang tayo ay mabuhay na kalugud – lugod sa a ating Panginoong Hesus.Kung mapapansin nyo, majority of the 9 vigilant acts are included in our 5 & 8 pledges so we are asked to do it diligently, with focus and the required attention.

God in His mercy,is calling each one of us to be ready when our time comes. We can do nothing about the when and the where of that call, but we can do much about the state of our relationship with God now even before death comes. In fact, aided by God’s grace, we can ensure that all will be well with us. WE CANNOT AVOID A SUDDEN DEATH, BUT WE CAN AVOID AN UNPREPARED DEATH BY STRIVING ALWAYS TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH GOD.