When I went through my Confirmation classes, I sought patience as a virtue and still continue pursuing it through all aspects of my life. We live in a world of
instant gratification
sense of urgency
Yet …
If we patiently wait, we’ll have more reason to ☼celebrate.
As we commonly say, and I first heard from my eighth grade math teacher:
Good things come to those who wait, for they will be ☼rewarded☼ ten-fold.
†Fathers† on either side of this †Sister! The one to my right was my student my very first semester!
The †Bishop† in this photo is the father of my student above and a ✌fellow✌ PhD candidate, and the †Father† in this photo is a ✌fellow✌ Pinoy!
Pinoys ‘R Us … The ✌fellow✌ Pinays are mother and daughter, and the daughter was a soloist in our Tosca performance plus is a recording Christian artist now!
I strive to thrive on the Ten Commandments and live by the Four Cardinal Virtues while doing my best to resist the Seven Deadly Sins. Here is a list of each of them: the Commandments, along with the Sins that impose temptation to break those Commandments, and the Virtues to keep in order to prevent myself from committing those Sins:
Regalos de Puerto Rico de la Familia Bruno
10 Commandments = MUST Do
7 Capital Sins = DON’T Do
4 Cardinal Virtues = MUST Maintain
You shall have no other gods before me.
Greed, Pride
Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance
You shall not make for yourself a carved image – any likeness of anything that is in Heaven above, or that is in the Earth beneath, or that is in the water under the Earth.
Pride
Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance
You shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain.
Anger
Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep holy.
Gluttony, Lust, Sloth
Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance
Honor your father and your mother.
Anger, Pride, Sloth
Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance
You shall not murder.
Anger
Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance
You shall not commit adultery.
Envy, Greed, Lust
Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance
You shall not steal.
Greed
Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Greed, Pride
Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not cover your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.
My ultimate goal: to be closer to GOD each & everyday!
Will y’all also join me on my journey and invite GOD into your heart, soul and every aspect of your lives?
Last weekend, I truly felt GOD speaking through me as His instrument as I proclaimed His Word at Mass: † Exodus 17:3-7
† Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
† Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
Then our Deacon read the Gospel from John 4:5-42, followed by our Priest’s Homily, during which he asked if we were thirsty. I was, both figuratively and literally, because the first reading introduced Moses’ followers as thirsty for water, and I too, was thirsty after speaking at the altar, and also because
I long to be closer to GOD, as I belong to Him.
When folks have asked me what I’m giving up for Lent or tell me what they’re giving up during this Lenten season, the past few years, I’d say that I don’t “give up” ~ but rather:
I give my time to enrich and strengthen my relationship with GOD.
After Easter, I don’t just resume my regular life; instead I lead a richer life because of GOD‘s strength and guidance, as well as His patience and mercy, which He instilled in me. This year, my companion through this time is a book provided by my Church, called Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose by Matthew Kelly*.
One decade ago, upon my visit to my Motherland, the Philippines, my cousin’s wife gave me pasalubong (gift), which I read during Lent and still cherish to this day: The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. If you’re seeking a sense of direction, I recommend both of these readings, as you go on your own walk with GOD.
Nothing matters more than He does because nothing is possible without Him.
*Reflections of Celebration …
#GOD led me to read this after I wrapped up the day on my #dissertation, & this very much has to do w/my #study as well as my #spirituality & #life: “The very #best #coaches will tell you that #teams that #win #championships are those that #focus on the #basics and #master them #together.” ~ Matthew Kelly
Chapter 1 on #Universal #Hunger reminds me of the song lyrics in #ThereIsALonging (in our #Hearts) because we #thirst for the #Truth = #GOD ❤
Chapter 2 on The #Prevailing #Philosophy prompts me to point out that we’re not here to serve ourselves & seek fast results, but rather to serve #GOD & seek His #purpose while remaining #patient & without questioning His will be done. #TrustInHim
Chapter 3 entitled Is #JESUS Still #Relevant? shows me that #InstantGratification won’t bring us closer to #Heaven, #GreatLOVE will. #LiveLikeJESUS! #Disciple = #Discipline
Chapter 4 on #Searching for #Identity inspires me to #maximize my #potential to #love & #serve #GOD & His #people ~ that is the #heart & #soul of my #person. ♥♥♥ #LoveGOD = #LovePeople ❤ ❤ ❤
Chapter 5 about what we #Celebrate brought to mind this song http://youtu.be/04y_KfO7GzI ~ so let’s #approach #life w/ the #LORD of #love taking the #lead on our #way according to His #will! #GOD = #GOoD 🙏👏✌️☝️💒💖
*… Leading into Authenticity
Chapter 6 called “What Is the #Authentic #Life?” does #guide me toward the #spiritual #secret: to be #holy in #everything that I do. For me, this is through #service to my #Church & #community + #work on my #dissertation & #career + #relationships w/ my #family & #friends ~ ALL to #lead w/ #great #LOVE for #GOD & His #creation! 💖👏🙏✌️☝️📖💒
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →