FF_Group D

Revelation of God in Trying Times pages 3 to 10 LOLA ROSE: The Blooming Model of Faith page 11 God in the Church pages 12 & 13 Our Response to God pages 14 & 15 FUNDAMENTALS OF FAITH I TUGON \"Exhibiting God's Presence in the Lives of the Filipino People\"

EDITOR'S LETTER Stress-proof your life challenge you that you are by reading, reflecting, and better than you think. This responding to God’s magazine contains Word. By doing so, I pray different forms of that God will give you the expressing how God is grace and the wisdom to found in difficult times, overcome all challenges through their creative that you are facing and will works. face in life. This will help you to That’s why we all need control your situation, by encouragement on how we not allowing your situation can overcome challenges to control you. in life. May you be inspired by The authors of this this magazine, so we can magazine want to inspire also inspire others! you to dream big and MA. EUGENIA BLANCHE P. MENDOZA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

features . . . 11 Lola Rose: the of BFaloitohming Model 12 God in the Church 13 14 Our Response to God 15 departments . . . 03 Veiled in Hues 04 Evermore. 05 Faith amidst 06 Adversity 07 In Trying Times, Where is God? 08 The Unusual Scope 09 Beauty after Storm 10 Learn to Look 16 Acknowledgements 02

Veiled in Hues by JuOl.iaMnenrecaEdlloienor The clouds may be dimmer Glance at the nimbus and the skies often weep heaven once more yet behind these hues, behind these clouds, have there's a light that we keep. you ever wondered where The sun stays -- although the birds beyond what our eyes can shelter and soar? perceive If not, then you must open its perpetual blaze does not your eyes fade, and nor it does leave. the sun stays ; it waits, and When the horizon's tears at the perfect moment -- it grimly fall upon your skin shall rise. you seek light and yearn for God does not abandon us. warmth incessantly. Just like the sun, His light On moments like these, remains ; veiled in hues. doubt blooms from within ; if the sun exists despite the rain, where would it be? 03

by Hannah Vera C. Magno Drowning I was in a sea You are God—my only God; called ‘disquietude’, Whose promise of love is for Only seconds away from evermore. getting wholly devoured. Not one to abandon, no Then, You came—and I was matter the season; rescued; Guarding until the break of At that moment it was that I each dawn. had understood: And so, in times that I may You are my refuge for drown in the future; evermore; No more will I ever let it be My resting place amidst in ‘disquietude’; adversity. This I promise to You with Never far away, always there certitude— to save— For I trust in You that for Guiding, so much so that all ever more; I can brave. Never again will I be alone. 04

by Coleen Sophia T. Lee creaAttiotnhehabveegiinnnsipnigreodf htiummea, nthsetobethaiuntky aabnodumt Gagondi.fiHceunmceanosf have experienced creation as revealing of a creator God's gorfeaatsnuenssse,tw. Bhuetthtehreiqt uweasstitohneips,o\"wWehr oofisaGstoodr?m\" Tohr ethaenbsweaeur tiys no one knows, but we know what God is not. God is eternal, aasndplHanenkendo. wAsloenvgerthytehwinagy,abthoeurte uasr.eLuifpesdaonedsdnoowtnasl.wPaeyospgloe Sfion,dwiht ehraerdis tGootdrudsutrainngdtqryuinesgtimonomGeondtsdoufrionugrdliiffefi?cult times. minHdaivse cyoomu pelveetrehlyadblaannkemorotsiiolennatl?brIte'askadsowifnyionuw'vheicphayssoeudr out cold, but by some miracle, you're still alive and well. Phaesrhabprosutghhist soennesatoifonyowuilrl awroisrestfrfoemarsa stuodfdreunititornag. eLdeyt thmaet is\"nFatonrodotdpwuricitnehtsythoineu tLthooerdasabfnaemdc.a\"ouuIstseisatlhaleebgrooeurtaicraaelptrewerolsigosinoetuwssaolpkfoifneogmotopntrititnlehtdes bonactkheatstahned.foWothpernintthsaitnptehresosnanwdaasnadt hniostilcoewdesitt,whaes loonolkyeda set of footprints. When he was at his lowest, he realized why btheethLeorredwwhaesnnhoet gtohienrge tahnrdouqguhetsrtyiionngemd oHmimen. tSshionuhldisnl'itfeG?od 05

The Lord answered He was always there. The person ocanrlryyinsagwthaotnepersseotn.oFf ofootoptrpinritnstsIn bTehceauSsaendthisenLoot radbwibales verse; the strongest Biblical reference is found in Dtoeucotenrtoinnuoemtyhe1:3w1i,ldwehrenreessMjoousernseeyn. cSotuatrianggesthhaits \"ftohleloLwoerrds your God carried you.\" Often during trying moments of our luifse;, twheatfeiseltGheodtrhuaths.leEfvteuns ofonr oguorodd.aGrkoedstndeavyesr,awbhaenndownes lboesltievHeisnolothvien,g Hweill eisvesrtigllettbheetrtee.r Waned tmhaatywneohtavseeefoHreivme;r However, we can feel His presence. God is our creator. God oknbostwascleesvethryatthwinegcaanbnooutt huasndalned. will never give us some neveTrhfiosrggeetnethraattiowne amnadytnhoet ukpncoowmainbgougteGneorda,tiaonndswheoudldo nwoitthkunso.wGowdh'os lHoveeisis. Hunocwoenvdeirt,ioHnealwaanndtsbetoyosnhdarteheHliosvleovoef any human being. God. 06

“If He is real, why did He let all of and His words. In Isaiah 41:10, God these happen?” bsaeysn, o“tFedairsmnoaty,efdo,r fIoarmI waimth yyoouur; God; I will strengthen you, I will Since I was little, I have been hrieglhpteyoouus, I rwigilhl tuphhaonldd.”youBewaituhtifmuly, exposed to the corners of my isn’t it? If all of us could just read religion, Roman Catholicism. I tahnedbibHleis, whteicahchcoinngtsa,inswtehe gwoosupledl experienced and witnessed how my encounter a plethora of His family and community revere God, promises to us humans because He satisfied with all of the things and loves us as his children, even information served on my table. though we are full of sins. We However, it would be a sin if I should not be worried and just pray would deny that I have not because He is our God, the great qthueestiosenveedntmeeynfaityhe, aervsen oofnceminy provider, healer, and the supreme existence. Throughout the course of all beings; no one comes above osefvehruaml acnhalllievnegs,esweandgoobthsrtaoculgehs Him. that would sometimes put our faith into question. “He will not give you God will always be with us. 1 anything you can not pass John 4:12 says: “No one has ever through”, some would say. seen God….” It is because God is a Nevertheless, is there really a God spirit! God is a mystery! A spirit who guides us? Or is He just an that will always be here for us to idea that we, Christians, hold to in Hgueidcereoautredp.roAgrmesysstienrtyhtehwatornldo tohnaet trying moments of our lives? will not fully understand, but we bhaevaedetoqutarutesta, nadndsuobusrtafnatiitahl.wSooumlde Scenarios like these are might say He cannot be present commonly portrayed in teledramas aerveerybislleioconnsdooff poeuorpllievesa,cfroorssthtehree when a relative of the protagonist, globe, and He is only one, but no! or the protagonist themselves, are There is no limit to our King, which at the brink of death. Nevertheless, explains His omnipotence, will, and this act is not the best love for His children. So through way to deal with these our ups and downs, fear not, for challenges. Frankly, I you will not face all of it alone; the consider this as an Lord will hold your hands. icnaspualbt itloitiHesim. WahnednHwise are being tested and tried by our lives, we should hold more tightly to God 07 by Venisse Jellica Ann A. Napao

by Ma. Eugenia Blanche P. Mendoza Who will I lean on, if there is After wearing that, the shine no hope? of every morning, These challenges in life, how everything, even breathing, will I cope? is a blessing. Everything that happens is It feels that it gave me love not according to plan. that set me free, All I want to do is nothing towards the world that hope but run. is everything, you can see. There are so many things Finally, I am that I do not understand. While overthinking, many 08 questions are going out of hand. Until when will I be like this? All I want to feel is peace, just like the breeze under the trees. Nothing can make my tears calm, but then suddenly someone held my palm; and gave me an unusual scope, which guided me and gave me hope.

by Keisha Micah E. Mag-Isa “If God is almighty, why can't He take all the evil out of the world? If God is good, why does He let us suffer? If there really is a God, where is He?” These are the questions often With this, we may think of Him asked by a person who doubts God as a rainbow signifying hope and and his existence, especially those new beginnings. Just like a rainbow who are now in their difficult that comes after the storm, God is moments. This is very relevant always present after every hurdle in today, as we're still in a pandemic our life. But that does not mean and there's a lot going on in the that He is not there during difficult world. With all the obstacles placed times. Rather, He is always present in our lives, it leads some to in our struggles, awaiting us at the question God's being and end and guiding us throughout the capabilities. process. peoplAedrdeiqtiuoinraellyc,onncorweatedapysro, omf otsot believe in something. At the same Personally, I believe there will taibmsetr,atchte feoxrisatellncoef oufsG. oWditrhemsauicnhs be something good in return for conflictual situations, it often every misfortune we go through. So, cthoonsfuesewshoonaere, ianffethcteiinrgvuplrniemraarbilley for me, He makes His presence state. So where is He exactly in kmnaotwerniabliystmiceaonr snooft.blFeussritnhgesr,mboereit, hard times? the lessons learned from our mexapyermienakceesymouaya bbeetatnerotpheerrsoans. itI To answer that, God is always believe that every challenge we face around us. Perhaps it is not HisimGo. dA'ss wsaaiydoifnteIsstaiinagh o4u1r:1f0a,ith\"Dion physical, but He is there in various not fear, for I am with you; Do not ways. It can be through a person, a be afraid, for I am your God. I will thing, or simply something which strengthen you; I will also help you; cannot be seen with the naked eye. I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.\" Having said 09 that, strengthening our faith in God would help us to overcome our own struggles in life and to better understand His plan for us.

by Beatrice Louise T. Locson When in celebration of any achievement, one of the first exclamations would be, “Yes! I did it!” It is saddeningly easy to forget the presence of a more extraordinary being when you’re at the height of victory. Most of the time, the first inclination of a person who has succeeded in a task would not pray or take time to visit the Church. Instead, it would be to plan a party, make necessary preparations, and invite friends and family to take part in their happiness. It has become second nature amidst our joy to seek the presence of others, not of God’s. But when the going gets really tough, what do you usually do? You may say you reach out to your closest friends and family for help, but ublatcimk attoelyt,hewesafimnde obuerisnegl–veGsodco. mGiondg was and is always there, but you ywoouurldfnir’stt nooptitcioenb. eHcauumsaenshetewnadsnt’ot forget that God is always available, ready to listen to us. There are also times when you Art by Beatrice Louise T. Locson may want to connect with Him, but your prayers are not answered. This does not mean He was not around– He listened and decided He had better plans in store for you. Most of the time, He is putting us to the test, to make us prepared for whatever lies ahead. The world may face countless problems such as the COVID-19 pandemic, war, and poverty, but God has not vanished from our midst. He is more than ready to listen, for as long as our desires do not interfere with His greater plans. We may not be able to grasp all of this now, but we must trust that He will save us once more. 10

When I think of my \"model of faith\", by Beatrice Louise T. Locson the person who comes to mind would be my lola, Rosita B. Tangarorang. Lola are all God-fearing, kind, and successful Rose (her nickname) was a simple individuals. She had great inheritances woman with a huge heart for everyone back in Cebu, but Lola Rose chose to and was deeply connected with God. I live a simple life and depended only on chose her as my model of faith because her hard-earned income from work. she embodies an ideal Catholic woman Along with our lolo, she also taught us, who has put God at the center of her her grandchildren, to grow in the Lord, entire life. which we have brought up with us in the family to this day. Even as she grew in My lola's journey was one of faith age, she never stopped helping out in and dependence on the Lord. As a the Church and attending mass daily. As young lady, together with her other a child, I would always spot her sitting siblings and family members, she with her eyes closed at her altar, deep in experienced firsthand the Japanese prayer. Until her and lolo's last days, her Occupation of their homeland, Cebu relationship with the Lord remained City. While they hid up in the mountains strong despite the pain she had endured to keep away from the Japanese from losing her husband and her own soldiers, they were always in prayer for cancer. everyone's safety and peace. Even in those daunting times in their hideaway, Just remembering my lola and her she and her family kept in close touch inspiring journey will lead me to live a with the Lord and never lost faith that God-centered life like hers. I will keep in He would protect them. After returning mind that while I am blessed that my home safely after the war, she and my situation right now is not as difficult as lolo set off from Cebu to our current hers, I must remain steadfast in the Lord hometown in Silay City, Negros and extend my thanks for the beautiful Occidental. They were both young and life I am experiencing. Should troubling newly married, but they braved the times come my way or in those of my uncertain path and were able to put loved ones, I should think, “How would together a new home in the city. Even Lola Rose go about this?” and then, she became involved in the local remember that God will never leave my parish, volunteering and helping out side. Just the idea of her helps me recall whenever she could. going about everything in love, even though it is so hard to do. My lola has Working as both a nurse and a touched my life profoundly, and I teacher, she was able to touch the lives cannot think of a better example as my of many people in Silay. The city model of faith. welcomed her with open arms, and she became a beloved figure. The couple raised five children, one of them my mother, who 11

tcFhhaeuthrTcechhrh,uesrwtcCehhhmouhsrtecharhnreodiusoggnnrhoeEvwHaesirrstfhwros.iotmJhneo,stuhuetessGtACaolbhmdlri.iissgThthehtideys both the founder and the foundation of the church, which he proclaimed in Matthew JsmheuasebsSuasisnnebscqeCeutehoentrhndisetpetlnyea,porttanehcneocefftooahmruGetnphordl.ediasl'Iashtttieoiowpdnnlaaossbnhfy.ituphsTehbehiCdesisthwauSwesroecannhas, Gfgo1r6anoo:tmd1et8hshit(sohaAfsirnsoHd,aclikawItdtIcaeeaywlslnsilywlhaobailulrduletianlhaddoayhttmayboynoevducechriaocnuronretmcfhihPreem,eatcieetnhd)rd.u, tarJthucnhahsdett, human beings and Himself. The Church is and that the church does not stray away the place where we come as one to praise from God and his plans for us. taahlnla.dt gthiveeLtohradn'ksstetoacthhiengLoisrds.hIatreisdaalsmoohnegrset hhaesavenEnovtaennbdeneionnwo,uaabrfatpenrredsJoeensneutdsa. gaeTsc,hetrhnoeduegcdhhuintrhcthoe power of the Holy Spirit, we are guided by As a matter of fact, the members of the its grace to continue in our mission and Church are regarded as the body of the pEcpthhurreeeucsvsrheeacanihrltc,iismewtaeiegssaaC.aninlaJdwestshtauooysstldih,cfaetesrhrlktcenaasenfnaoscdsuar.tnahtmdeoIesnnetron,trthtmeshadaetoydGfuhHoratidohnv’leegys Church. Whereas, in the biblical sense, died and risen millennia ago, but the cabJeodIesnmdguaismttnihoCetinsnoh,crsimespmteeaaeiPsknneittinnhntgoeetffuochonltehsgaeteudveeCson,hftpum,trrhoactehhcrkle'CaseihdmAmupirinocsgshsit.ttolhheInnees. church has and will never be without the Good News of the Lord to the world, which presence of God. bcouofneneiGttnyionpodurf,eetssbheuetnottpitetnhhoetipshleHed,Coanlhyyo.utrTcoTrhinhn.laiyttythshaeaidps,reaisnlwenathcyees God serves as a fundamental element in iiisnmapnnoeveiednr,sipsuhinreacdtoinopndeiottiopolneuaslb,lyya. sTgtihvheienycghhuderolcpnhastioitosmenlesf tuupWnhosnoehetrdetdeLrrearieasvfyiesteneandGonHfdoeiidntsxh’iasesmentwxdCaiawshnytuiyeptrthnucowoctheuah. yteiTnsilsp.htGoeTosuidhscgp,’hensruhiafCruicpccmtharhiuecnaesrwtnceoshna,tucnhtleiddoes. and sheltering the homeless. Wherein this learnings in His gospels. Which results to beitpsoauewcstjhtuhi.nsaGottttoolhtihdsepetrrdey'asnocwetbtiascloenensttosahtitonenwdigsraebagnenuotidisnltpdhtoeeotltshhc,heehobruwspur,oectthroalfdolfssorhowrtaihurtthoees sJwcmephesaruukearseacrdheaui,lsnrlweogsavehdeakcdyiraniannbdsgyncaeeHlHrnseisisdam.edwdyJoautrnfsodedteshlsbewaaayisftvehsev,unoires.taivhtneiencnregsatafthtnheadert kindness. The church’s gospels use God’s woifotofnorwurtudishlslset.oswWretihrgriviuthchesthttataharssaenscodupkurr.hreeAasgevseueanbicdfcehaeeliioteoihfnvfeeitnlvrhisfeHee,ryilHtsisoooptnelklyaenenSiensppgirutitos, the gospel teaches us to be better and inspires us to help and love those who are 12

Throughout history, the Church has been the dJersivuisngChforriscte. bEevhenindthtohueghspCrehardistoiafntihtye hGaosspmeal noyf ddiefnfeormenint atiiodnesash,aveporancetifcuensd, amaenndtal fboerlmiesf:, faiathll almightyA,mthoengchualrlchthsehopueldopblee twhehoonweowrshhoipleathdes ianreJelsouvseCdhbriystGaosdouthreLoFradt,hcerre.aEtover,nanifdJeSsauvsioris. Wnoe Loordrdin.aOryftepnetoimplees,ttohethyearreigchotndweamy noefdsbeervcianugsethoef ltohnroguerghphthyesiCcahlulyrcphr.esent, we can still feel His love sthoemeothmeirsurnedliegriostnasndairneg nooft swomelle-vterrasdeidtioennsouthgaht. oHfowperevaecr,hdinegs,pittheethceomngcraesgtaintigonstosntoesodonsotiullr awnady Sacrament plays an essential role in how the continued to obey. Csahcurarcmhesnhtobwescatuhsaet Gitoids ais spyrmesbeonl tg. iPveenoptloe uvsalubey loveF,rohmutmhbisl,ewneescsa,n adnedpictdtehsairtewittho thfeolClohwurcthh’es Gloovidngtopraelsloewnceu.sWtoheenxpweerieanrecefahceisd nweivther-imenpdliicnigt tJeesaucshiCnghsrisotf, aonudr tGhoedguCirdeaantocer ,ofththeefoHootlsyteSppsiroitf, swihtuaattiisonbsehininodurthlievessu,rwfaecea.ttWeme pktnotowchoomwprceehrteanidn tphreeysecnot.nTtihniusealtsoo dreemfleocntsstaravteerstehaint GMoadtthisewre5a:3ll9y tuhnidnegsrsthaanvde tahedmee. pWere mleeaarnninsogmwehtehningweneswtriwvehetno a“BnyuotnIe tselallpysoyuo,udoon nthoet rriegshitstchaeneke,vtiul rpnetrosothne. mIf wfloeuaripsphroaaschpeeonplilgeh. teSnamcreanmt,enatnsd haasvea rtheseulsta, mwee itnhfeluoetnhceerscthheeeckhaulrscoh.”anTdruHlyi,stpheeopprlees. ence of God ebfefgeicnt oton duisg, bsoy tahcekynoawrelesdogisniggntihfiecman.tWbeecbaeugsienwtoe ueancdhertsimtaendwethdeo,mweeaenxipnegrioefneceacGhosda.crament, and closeTr htoe GCohduracnhdsberrivnegsinagvpiteaolprloeletoignetbhreinrgaisngonues. ICthirsisat'ssaccornatmineunatl bperecsaeunsceeitanisdimsebrvueesdaws iathmJeeasunss In the New Testament of the Holy Scripture, froercopgenoipzeleGtoodcoinmoeutrolgiveeths.eCr hinrisfatiitshptroespernaitsienatnhde the Church is one that goes by many names such Caphpurrecchi,aatinodn,weancdan ecloenvnaetect owuitrh Gcoondc,eerxnpsretsos ohuisr as the people of God (1 Peter 2:9-10), the body of name. Christ (Ephesians 1:23), the assembly (Acts 15:12), and His temple (2 Corinthians 6:16). Regardless, Apostle Paul, however, specifically describes the Church as God’s dwelling place (Ephesians 2:22) in areGooudr disaitlhyebbreeagdin, nHinisgmoifrathcelesChaurercohu;rHsiosuwrcoerdosf which it has subsequently earned another title lcihghildt,rHenis aornely obuergobttreonthSeorsn iasnodursiSsatevirosr,haenrde Hoins that is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians eciarrctuhm. sItnanctehsisofsoeunrsleiv, esGaosdChirsistpiarnesbeenitngsin. all 3:16). Every local church should be a compact The Church then essentially plays a crucial role rsehparlleseexnpteartiieonnceofGothde's NpreewseJnecreu,saGleomd'.s Hruelree, twhee in the redemptive plan that God has in store for ftlhorwouagnhdHsiuspptelyachoifngGso, da'sndlifeth, raonudghGeoadc'sh liagnhdt mankind. It serves as the primary messenger in echveurrychonlifee osfhouusl.dTnhoet cbreiterrigiohnt oforrwarollnmg,agttoeords oinr enlightening everyone about Him with the purpose b21a:d2,2,otrhearneytihsinngo otfemthpelesoinrt.thAeccNoerdwinJgertuosaRleemv. of bestowing them salvation and aiding them in bTehcuasu, seif Gwoed asntrdivtehetoLamfeebl arGeotdh'se tpermepselenciteseilnf. their preparation for an eternal life with God in eovrewryrtohninggd, eitc'sisnioont;athqeuemstoiosnt eosfsmenatkiianlgatshpeecrtighotf New Jerusalem, the new heaven and new earth. mGoadn’isfepsrteastieonncse, is bnuott sereaktihnegr,for boebivnigousaobrlelitertaol Akin to fuel when driving a car, God’s presence ouunrdseerlsvteasnadndthwaitthHinisouprrneesiegnhcbeori.s found within through His Spirit in the Church is requisite–as it is technically what makes the Church [be 13 considered] a ‘Church’. Without it, the Church is nothing but an empty vessel that is vulnerable to sin (Galatians 5:16) in which having an intimate relationship with God becomes less possible.

IEatlvleisWanroeionnukdlnnyidoff,wriicgeuthvhltetantttihmGwaoehtdse,wnihseee,wvimeserred-igmpohrbetnesboerestnstiso.defHeeetuhiistes.. body of Christ, also appear present to God, not just the other way around. As are Ginondeneedv, ebruhtehsoitwatceasntoweherelpciupsrowchaetentwhee tmdCwooaiattthkahaewkoaeGlaicyhcoseadw,creiwattihceocofts,hhncbaeshvutmeeatdnsswutoelhimevne.eenorWtaeuimlvererleiresvshswe,posieotu, naliadsstrteieebaanfliswladiytcaiieneytdosgs love and blessings that we receive from mass weekly and allotting time for prayer iLobHnouliemrrstdshs?eiewlnvhgeAosassu,tettwowvreeaearrcbdnweieideveweedmirlislnatyonGoosocfetodenh.HasiAnntisabddniedterllixoynpuvgeerserinimferantionnhcmddee daily. worshiping God in the most sacred parts of ttmhhaeannLWyboereodipnw,tgaaionnpndtrsettsohteoimnstbaisieknedatohocneutiervcsehienulivnrnecoshth.bpeTerehtctseeherruenwrtacatrhoey, our lives. Rather, it should pull us closer to such as volunteering to read a part of the aspsewnedsinogakminorHe itsimpreewseitnhceH. im knowing that sacred scripture during masses or taking are WguiitdhetdheinptrheesernigchetodfirHeicstiHonoloyfSlpifier.itT, hwies sUpaytocalatturyiitomr ntialrnsoutceewaolyliut,tohtporaeuwtrarhihcsrehahets.tpepwIaotreconihgsssirenaaagtymlosssoaGonoofidmdrtghmpiaseonartitcotzcahehmnudtraocbkuthoeyr. can be justified in the statement of Psalms ourselves available to Him, for us to be 37:5, “Give God the right to direct your life, wdiivlliinnegpilnanst.ruments in His intricate and fttmaiarnnykoddievnegaHsnsaeonnytoopdetuutblrtltyuherusdamtsti,teintrgHaeonitfmehfmeopaboKeltoeirinfdnoegigncesotntlfhytb!eau”lhtlweCbkaaioyynrntgGytsioot.nhudTua’’oelstl truth. Trust in His perfect timing that sHaitmis.fies our longings and have no doubt in God is ever present in all places, more simply, omnipresent. Yet, how do we reach out to Him in return? For many, faith is the As His children, stewards, students, and stcbshaeaeecvnsretbirfbweaiceslaetwyswt,ahtayoarysonriudtesogstshpodooebntmohedneoo.tnfoHsssatoeGrcwrarovtaediecmveetaehrnt,niodstasotst,othhIepHesrrrieeasmey.ae.rirItet,, followers; we were created to spread the gapwaoniredisdvrpitelseoesilsgpttaeohennoradsdsn.esdtTeowhravGihsejoooCGydnh'ofserodiecsrdattuhilalsirtnto..ouTsWigehnhrersvopoiauciurrgeeerhibasusnrsbeoderotvdhgtiheicvareeass, It just means I'm willing and modest His instruments in fulfilling the mission Hpitenonaitsosedturoecgsahtsthleoltirdo.nogIuiangshshfhaoiesvrtlepdomioanthnlgereaeortaibtopdheneyecosradspuolwseaneh.neIedbnItheIoailsiamuemvtinreeaaiatbtlhcslihoees amnudsttroubeseersvseenacned opfrathcteicleif.e a child of God programs. In addition, I intend to continue aIebodnneaducmotchmaiintsaeiolspmntoahaotelhrasebenbslseeyismaiovrtioonlalfsururtnttehoutsrerpJoeeeou.rsnigundIhsngoianuatntnhhddmiissyopliwfrcffeeaaesryraeei,nnnedgrtI GproMedso'esrneptorinevgseero,nuwcreosreisnlvhteiipsmtiesosaGonofoddth.oBeurebaitncagtnoidnf myself to God. despair is when true intimacy begins. Seeking for GtaoonwdduairmsndhttoseohrnGeebcsoeveedi,msmiibtboeoclrecmreeoiveanmunteoiltnnssugeraarmllapliovboaewltreshes,. 14

God had a plan for us before He ever created In different circumstances, I am often told to Puslana.nHdethweouwldornldo.t GmoadkeisanaytGhoindg oufnlPeussrpHoesehaadnda see God in every situation, and in every person I pvaulrupeosaendtoredaososno. .WEev,erfoytrhminegd iinn Gthoisd'swolirklednehsass, meet as I pave the way. Since I was a child, I have parreesetnhcee cmarorsiet s vaallluweed'll eovferanlleecdreinatliiofen.sT. oGboedi'ns been reflecting and wondering how God can be sGaotdis'fsiepdr.esTehnecree iasrteo shoavme aanllyosfigynosurthliafet'sGnoedediss present in every situation as also suggested by the opprepsoerntut ninitya tpolabceecothmaet ict'lsoseeaswyittho hoivmer.loAotk tthhaet famous Christian quote “God is everywhere.” But I cpaoninot,nheoawppcaronaachhuGmoda?n Agleltopfrtehseesnet qtoueGsotido?nsHaorwe guess these people who told me to believe that roupnenniinngg tthhreofulogohdoguartehseoafdhs.eaWveonrs,haitptriascttihneg kGeoydt'os God is present in everyone are correct. caltotesnertiotno, aHnimd .brinWgionrgshHipis ispremseankicneg doouwrnsealvneds spirnecseentthetobGegoidn.niGngo.dWhoarsshbiepenis atthteenpdrioncgestos buys In every person who believes in our faith, they wdehcicidhewderepsrpeosnenset otouresnetlevreins gtoinGtoodh.isItpirsesoeunrcfere. ely manifest the traits and acts of the -Almighty. In that way, He is truly present. We act the way God Also, we can feel his presence in times when and Jesus lived because it would be ironic if we will bpeeogipnlse. aWrehveunlnyeoruabalree. dTohwisnisawndhehnotpreuleescslo, sthenatesiss always preach and utter about Their holiness but tlihkee tnimo eonyoeuinwtilhlefeweol trhlde cparnesseanvceeyoofuGeoxdc.eYpotuGfoedel. do the other way. In Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the rGeoadchbesectohme elsimpiterosfonhaiml sweiltfh. Gaodpearsnodnmwahnenhahvee kingdom of God and His righteousness…” we are mreeaachnesdalalowstianggeawllhgeoreodt,hteeyrrcibalne, bbeeainuttiimfual,tea.nIdt also reminded and encouraged to be righteous so ugly to shine through. that He will take pleasure in our acts and soon, He witHhuGmoadn.sWwhereencarepaetersdotno bweogrisnhsiptoanwdorbsehpipreGseondt, will come to reward us with everlasting life. tGhoed'ospptiroenseonfcebedceosmceinndgs vtuolnmereaebtlehimor. Mnoatnwhiaths However, it's also crucial to remember that we're wGhoedn. Mhaen dbeecciodmesestoprebseenvtualnnedrainbtliemaantedwwitohrGshoidp not doing this for the sake of receiving rewards; Ha ipmer. sTohnehpaesrsboene'ns cfaloitshedaentdermines whether or not rather, we exhibit these good acts in accordance present with God. with the Almighty’s good heart and we are touched and influenced by Him. 15 These are just some of the things that I am practicing to do throughout my entire Christian life. Growing up in a religious family also ignites my will to serve the Lord wholeheartedly and to respond to His call without any doubt or hesitation. From this, I try to encourage more and more people to practice the same just like how Jesus influenced us to follow his footsteps that are according to and leading to the holiness of the God Almighty. Our meetings with God should never be akin to a monologue in which only one person does all the talking and the other does all the listening. Instead, they should be similar to a respectful conversation with a friend in which both persons listen to one another’s self-disclosure thoughtfully and respond thereafter. Thus, each time that we listen to God, we answer as well—for prayers are worship. They are one of the best ways to express our faith, love, and trust in Him. Nonetheless, we should not be satisfied with responding to all He has done with constant praying alone; rather, we should make ourselves more active in the Church, involving ourselves in the mission that He has entrusted us. Let us offer ourselves in service and make use of our gifts, talents, and time to make a difference—all for His glory.

Editor-in-Chief ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS MMaen. Eduozgaenia Blanche P. Associate Edito r Julianne Ellienor O. Mercado Layout Artist Hannah Vera C. Magno Artist Beatrice Louise T. Locson Writers Coleen Sophia T. Lee 16 Beatrice Louise T. Locson Keisha Micah E. Mag-Isa Hannah Vera C. Magno MMaen. Eduozgaenia Blanche P. Julianne Ellienor O. Mercado Venisse Jellica Ann A. Napao

11 HA-6 Group D