CROSSROADS Sangandaan 4th Edition
It has been more than a year now since the whole world experienced being locked down due to Corona virus, humanity’s enemy. This deadly virus killed many of our brothers and sisters especially the medical frontliners. Not only those belonging to the medical teams but also those who sacrificed their own wellness for the sake of our needs. These people’s dedication to their profession in order to serve, despite their vulnerability to the virus, is a proof that humanity still exists.
Covid-19 stopped the world from its usual daily living. Trade and markets, entertainment industry and other societal, civic and church institutions were greatly affected by this pandemic. Indeed, it caused a lot of stress. People became more anxious and desperate and developed an apparent idea that the only way to live life is through death. Currently, there are 14,945 numbers of deaths here in the Philippines alone. Many families have lost their loved ones.
I was locked down in the seminary and the only means to get updates was from the news which were unbearable to watch. I felt hopeless. I cannot help but worry not for myself alone but for my family and friends as well. This feeling caused me pain and I will not deny that it started to crawl into my veins and no matter how much I diverted my attention to other important things still I would wonder as to what will happen next. “Is this really the end of mankind? And where is God in this time of sufferings”?
People suddenly turned their gaze on God, seemingly asking for a miracle. Nevertheless, we cannot deny also the fact that most people turned their back on their faith. Men and women began to become cynical in looking at things and I cannot blame them for being one. Though I believe the reason why is because they only look at the agony. For them this is the only picture that matters.
Jesus himself had experienced agony. In the gospel according to Matthew, it says, ‘Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible. let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will,” And for the second time and third time he repeatedly said, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done.” As I read this passage form the scriptures, I heartily imagined what it was like for Jesus during that horrible time. It was an agony beyond compare, I would say. Apart from the betrayal of one of his friends and disciples He also felt abandoned by His Father. This is what we are going through these very days. We too feel we are being abandoned by God and perhaps betrayed by humanity and even the institutions that promised to protect us. It is a human attitude that as we take a look on suffering, an immediate response toward it should there be. However, we are invited to always imitate Jesus. His attitude in looking at things is truly not of this world but from what is above. Jesus, though he truly felt the agony, never stopped believing in the goodness of God, that is why he said, “not as I will, but as you will.”
Jesus never forgot to look at the bigger picture. He did not only see his sufferings and death, but also the purpose why he needed to undergo these pains. Of course, all of those hassles in his life he must endure in order for us to be saved from sins and eternal damnation. The Word became flesh not only to tell us the meaning of heaven but also to show us the Kingdom of God and become sharers of it.
The eternal bliss of heaven is naked to the human eye and requires a deeper relationship to God through Jesus. As Christians, we yearly commemorate the Paschal mystery of God’s only Begotten Son. This is the best way to reconnect our bond to Jesus. Everything starts from Jesus’ suffering but this suffering is just but a small portion of what is stored for us. There is always a transformative value in suffering. Just like Jesus, we are invited to be transformed in a way that God wants us to be and that is to have a healing role in our society.
In Luke’s gospel chapter 23:39-43, Jesus encountered two criminals with whom he manifested God’s healing. While Jesus was hanging on the cross, one of the criminals reviled Him, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuked him and said, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly…but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Here is where the healing took place, Jesus replied to him, saying, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
It is a beautiful encounter between God and man, between infinite and finite and in between there is healing. Like I said this is what is being demanded from us as Christians, to become bearers of healing especially in this time of pandemic where people only look at their agony. I believe that it is our responsibility to remind the children of God that though it is not a sin or mistake to look at our own pains and sufferings but these experiences that we are facing are also our way and ticket towards the bliss of heaven.
We are all passers-by in this world and I believe that every day we are in our journey towards our Golgotha, a hill where Jesus was crucified; a place of extreme suffering and death. No matter what this place means in its nature, Golgotha is also the place of our salvation. Eventually the death of our Lord is at hand but even death cannot hold Jesus that is why after three days, Jesus the Christ resurrected and became our God not of the dead but of the living.
Last April 3, 2021 amidst the darkness that filled Crossroads’ grounds there was a spark of light that paved the way towards our eternal heaven. Luke 24:13-35 says, ‘But at daybreak on the first day of the week they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all others.’
It is always and should always be a joyful event
for us believers and every day our Risen Lord is giving us eternal life because
He himself conquered death. It is through His resurrection that we will attain
a heaven-like life that despite of all the sufferings that life enfolds us, one
is certain that it will not end in sorrow. After all, life is about
experiencing everything that makes us human and as long as we confess that the
Christ our Lord is our God and believe in our Redeemer’s saving power then we
can only see things and life as good all the time. Remember to never give up
because in every step of our way there is hope and at the end of our journey,
be it joyful or sorrowful, there awaits our resurrection… a resurrection that
Jesus graced us with. At the moment is a
period of agony but which also offers an eternal bliss of heaven.
From the heart of Tatay…
Our teacher in Phenomenology class once told us her students about what she noticed on the reaction papers we have submitted. She said that some of the papers seemed to have been a work by just one person. I froze a bit thinking that she must already have a clue, but I tried to remain calm and composed. She then proceeded with her lesson of the day. I thought everything was already under the bridge until she saw me inside the canteen. She walked towards where I was and smiled while she took a seat in front of me. Somehow, I already had an idea at that time but I waited for her to open up. The great reveal happened but it was a pleasant surprise. She was not mad but amused. She even asked as to how I did it and why was I doing it. I focused on the second inquiry.
There are things we do in order to survive. We search for a reason in order to live. I guess keeping our dreams alive push us to do even the odd and uncomfortable things. I did not exactly mind doing term papers and research works for my well-to-do yet quite lazy enough classmates for as long as this act will lead me to canteen to settle down my hunger. But there is more to that…to realize that we are called to be of service to others. When we are presented with a great challenge, there comes an opportunity to find out who we truly are. It is only when much is asked of us that we find out our truest nature.
Living in the times we now find ourselves in, the obvious question is: “Who needs our help? Even if we get the disease and suffer and eventually die, can we do everything we can to ensure that the Corona virus does not spread for the sake of others? If we have much, will we give to those who have less? Are we being sensitive to the needs of our loved ones as they deal with all of this differently that we do. Each day is but a chance given to us to lean into our goodness. And for surely, one day, we will all look back and remember the choices we made.
It is hard to find a sense of calling when we are holed up in isolation or filled with fear. Yet somehow that sense of purpose is just the thing we need to get us through: checking on with our friends and loved ones much more regularly just for them to know that they are not alone. This concern is itself is a great gift, and one each of us can give now every day.
For now, I want to wish all of you great love and courage. There will be light “at the end of the tunnel” however hard it may be to see it. Those who came before us lived through much hardships. We are all ancestors of survivors, people who found the courage to weather hardship and find hope.
“IT IS FINISHED”
Hindi lahat ng natatapos ay humihinto o nagbabadya ng dulo.
Ang ibang natatapos ay panimula ng bagong yugto o simula ng walang katapusan.
Ang mga katagang nabanggit ni Hesus ay nagdedeklara na tapos na ang kanyang
buhay sa mundong ibabaw at magsisisimula na siya sa panibagong buhay, buhay na
walang hanggan. Marahil, isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit niya nasabi ito ay sapagkat
nalalapit na ang katapusan ng kanyang buhay sa daigdig matapos niyang tubusin
sa kasalanan ang tao. Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakahirap, pagpasan at pagkamatay
sa krus, ninais niyang sundin and utos ng ama sa kanya, ginawa niya ang lahat
kahit na buhay niya pa ang kapalit. Tunay nawa na ang pagmamahal ni Hesus sa
ating mga tao, sa buong mundo ang nagbunga ng pagbubunyi sa pamamagitan ng
buhay na walang hanggan. Pinatunayan niya na sa kabila ng pagtitiis,
pagpapakahirap, pagpapakasakit ay kaya din nating lahat na danasin ang kanyang
dinanas sa pamamagitan ng pagmamahal. Pagmamahal na sumisimbolo sa pag aalay ng
buhay at pagbibigay halaga sa ibang tao higit pa sa ating sarili. Pinatunayan
ni Hesus sa lahat ng kanyang naranasan bilang tao, kaya din natin na magtiis,
magsakripisyo at mag alay ng buhay sa ating kapwa at minamahal. Sa kabila ng
mga nararanasan natin ngayon, sa lahat ng mga pag aalala, mga problema, mga
pasakit na dala-dala kaya din natin itong pagtagumpayan basta’t kumapit tayo sa
Diyos na siyang magbibigay ng kalakasan, patuloy na gagabay at susuporta sa
kabila ng ating mga paghihirap at pagpasan sa ating mga krus. Para bang tapos
na ang lahat pero pinlano ng Diyos ang mga nangyari kay Hesus para patunayan sa
atin na kaya nating magsakripisyo tulad ng pag aalay niya ng buhay.
Maraming bagay o kahulugan ang mga sinabi ni Hesus, sa kanyang
mga katagang, “NATAPOS NA.” Marahil, sa sandaling nararanasan niya ang
paghihirap at onti onti na niyang nararamdaman na malapit ng bumigay ang
kanyang katawang tao, minabuti niyang sambitin ang 7 salita na ito. Sa kabilang
banda ang ibang kahulugan ng 7 salita na ito ay nagdidikta ng kanyang huling
mga habilin bago lumisan. Minsan gusto kong alalahanin yung mga pagkakataon na
malapit na siyang malagutan ng hininga at sigurado ako na hirap na hirap siya.
Ito yung mga sandaling pinakamasakit na mararamdaman ng tao dahil alam mong
hindi mo na kaya at gusto mo ng sumuko. Tiniis lahat ito ni Hesus kahit sa
kabila ng lahat ay alam niyang mangyayari ito, hinayaan niyang isuko ang lahat
sa Diyos at magtiwala sa plano ng Ama. Marahil, ang ilan satin ay nawawalan ng
pag-asa. Pag asa sa lahat ng mga nangyayari sa ating buhay ngayon. Ang isip
natin ay magulo, nababalisa, natatakot at puno ng pagdududa. Ngunit kung ating
tatanungin, naisip ba natin na naranasan din ni Hesus ang lahat ng ito ng higit
pa? Ang mga tanong natin sa buhay ay pawang walang katumbas ng pagkukutya, pang
aalipin, pang aalipusta na ginawa sa kanya bago pa humantong sa kanyang
kamatayan. Samakatwid, naranasan ni Hesus ang lahat ng ito at kanyang
napagtagumpayan. Kung tatanawin natin ang mga nangyayari sa mundo ngayon para
bang wala ng pag-asa. Parang ang hirap umasa at bigyan ng solusyon ang mga
nangyayari, nagkaroon ng Covid-19, maraming nawalan ng trabaho, maraming
nawalan ng mga minamahal sa buhay at ang masaklap sa lahat hindi natin alam kung
kailan mawawala ang sakit na ito dahil hanggang ngayon ay patuloy na
nananaliksik ang mga dalubhasa upang maudlotan ang sakit na ito. Para bang
tapos na ang lahat pero may mga bagay na Diyos lang ang nakakaalam. Minsan mas
mabuti pang iasa na lang natin sa kanya ang ibang bagay na hindi natin kayang
solusyonan. Siya lang ang nakakaalam ng lahat. Kung tayo lang ay hindi
magsasawang magdasal at patuloy na umasa sa kanyang awa at habag, naniniwala
ako na walang imposible sa kanya. Sa kabila ng ating mga nararanasan ang lahat
ng ito ay may katuturan. Masakit man pagdanasan ang mga nangyayari sa ating
buhay sa ngayon pero ito ang magbibigay sa atin ng daan para magbago upang
mapabuti at umunlad bilang tao. Ang mga
pagsubok na ito ay nagbibigay sa atin ng kalakasan dahil sa kabila ng ating
kahinaan, mas nakikilala natin ang ating sarili at dahil dito tayo ay
nagbabago. Nagbabago tayo para itigil ang mga nakagawian at ihinto ang mga
bawal. Minsan kailangan natin maisip na mali ang ating nagawa, ang mga
nakagawinan at paulit-ulit nating pagkakasala hindi lang sa Diyos kundi pati sa
ating sarili at pamilya. Minsan hinihintay lang tayo ng Diyos na magbago dahil
hindi tayo nandito sa center dahil “tapos na ang lahat” Nandito tayo upang
magsimula ng bagong buhay at magkaroon ng plano upang tayo ay dumiretso ng
landas. Naalala ko noong pagkalabas ko ng seminaryo, naranasan ko lahat na para
akong nakawala sa hawla at pakiramdam ko na kapag nagawa ko na lahat magiging
masaya ako. Kala ko matatapos ang lahat kapag nagawa ko na ang mga gusto kong
gawin at sasaya ako ngunit hindi. Kala ko makakaiwas na ko sa mga problema ko
kapag naging masaya at naging malaya. Yun pala yung saya na nararanasan ko ay
hindi sapat para masabi kong Malaya ako. Oo, nagagawa ko lahat pero hindi siya matutumbasan
ng saya na nararamdaman ko ngayon. Hindi natatapos ang lahat kapag nagawa mo
ang hindi tama. Noon kala ko wala ng pag asa na makabalik at magpatuloy sa
pagpapari ngunit ito ako ngayon pagkalipas ng 7 taon, nakabalik ako. Inisip ko
noon na imposible na pero iniisip ko lang pala dahil nakalimutan ko na may
plano ang Diyos. Hindi pa natatapos ang lahat dahil marami pa siyang plano para
sakin. At naniniwala ako na ganun din ang bawat isa, may plano ang Diyos satin.
Kaya sana wag natin isipin na “tapos na ang lahat” dahil ito pa lang ang
simula. Simula na kung saan magdidikta ng pagtuwid ng ating buhay. “It is
finished.” Huling salita ni Hesus bago siya mawalan ng buhay at simula ng
kaligtasan na nagpapatunay na totoo ang buhay na walang hanggan. Manalig tayo
sa kanya dahil siya ang daan, katotohanan at ang buhay. Siya ang simula at
katapusan ng lahat. Amen.
Compassionately generous is the Lord.
For me, it was indeed enlightening to learn the virtues of St. Joseph and the realization of his significance in my salvation. If he did not accept the will of God, Jesus would not have been born save humanity. His obedience is admirable and how I wish I possess that kind of obedience.
At present, obedience really requires me a lot of sacrifices. With the COVID 19 pandemic my lifestyle had changed and it is painful. But it is really comforting to hear that someone like St. Joseph who endured the pain of being ridiculed has surpassed the challenge. Thus, I told myself that if St. Joseph was able to do it, then I surely can. I will imbibe the virtue of obedience to survive living the new normal, the context of my world right now.
I
was inspired and I hope because of obedience I will achieve a better version of
myself.
Ate
Sheila
Clinical
Staff
Being
here at Crossroads for 4 years I’ve learned a lot about myself. What my
strengths are, what my weaknesses are. There is still a lot to learn about
myself. I seems like I learn something new every day! I’ve realized that I can
live a life without having to use drugs or alcohol that I can do the things
that I want to and be the person that I want to be with the help of the Lord. I
just want to thank the Crossroads staff and family and especially Father
Clifford for helping me in my recovery. I would not have this newfound outlook
on life if it wasn’t for the help of everyone, getting me through each day. I
want to especially thank my family for bringing me to Crossroads, for giving me
a second chance at life and allowing me to fix myself and to straighten out my
life. Thank you Lord for all of the blessings you have given me!
Bro.
Jermaine
“Good news”! sa kabila ng mga kasalanang nagawa ko masasabi ko nandyan ang Panginoon Diyos na si Hesukristo, at hindi nya ako pinababayaan.
Year 2000 nang simula akong marehab at alam nyo ba na hanggang ngayon ay nagrerehab pa rin ako. Hindi ko sinasabe na tuloy tuloy ako sa loob ng rehab, siyempre lumalabas din ako, pero masasabi ko na mabuti ang ating Diyos dahil sa tuwing napapasok ako sa loob ng bahay nang pagbabago ay lalo akong napapalapit sa ating Diyos. Marahil ito ang kanyang paraan upang hindi ako mapahamak.
Sa ngayon ipinahihiwatig ng ating Diyos na ako’y kailangan kumilos na upang magampanan ang kanyang ninanais, ito ay ang magmahal ng lubusan, pagpapahalaga sa pamilya, at sa kapwa na akin naming natututuhan habang ako ay narito sa Crossroads. Sa tulong ng mga staff at higit sa lahat ni Fr. Clifford, sa kanyang homilies every Sunday.
“Seek
ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you! Amen.
Matthew 6:33”
Bro.
Emmanuel
Ako
si kuya Rey na ngayon ay Ramrod. Dati, gusto ko nang umuwi dahil matagal na ako
dito since April 13, 2019 pero noong pauwi na sana ako noong march 2020
nagkaroon nang balitang may COVID surge kaya lockdown. Napagisip-isip ko rin na
okay rin na narito pa ako dahil kung nasa labas ako ay baka mahawa lang ako sa
mga may sakit. Enjoy naman ako dito masaya, hindi boring kaysa naman nasa amin
ako hindi makalabas ng bahay dahil sa lockdown hindi ko rin mae-enjoy kung ako
man ay makauwi. Hindi tulad dito sa center nalilibang ako, marami kaming mga
activities, sports, at nakapagsisimba rin kami every Sunday. Natuto rin ako ng
mga gawaing bahay kaya sa pag-uwi ko, magiging masipag na uli ako sa amin
kagaya ng mga ginagawa ko dito sa center. Natutuhan ko rin dito magkaroon ng
respeto sa tao, sumunod at tumanggap nang pagkakamali. Sa pag-uwi ko ay maipagmamalaki ko na sa
aking pamilya na malaki na aking pinagbago. Kaya sana malapit ko na masakama
ang mga pamilya ko at mga mahal ko sa buhay…
Bro.
Reynaldo
AKING
PAGBABAGO
Ryan
Anthony
Hindi
ko alam kung ba’t ako naririto
Batid
ko ay pagbabago,
Kasama
ng mga kapatid ko,
Dito
sa lugar na kung nasaan ako
Hinuhubog
upang itama maling gawi ko!
Subalit
kahit nalilito…
Mananatili
sa bahay ng pagbabago
Maraming
natutunan,
Na
dapat itanim sa puso’t isipan
Para
sa paglabas maging handa ng tunay
Kung
saan ang laban ng buhay.
Ryan
ang aking pangalan… pagababago tutuparin para sa aking kapakanan.
Maraming
salamat sa mga taong tumulong humubog at binago ang aking pagkatao… at sa
pamilya ng Crossroads… dito tayo ay laging panalo.
Noong nakaraang retreat, marami akong bagay na
natutunan. Mas lalo kong lubusang nakilala ang Panginoong Diyos at para sa akin
mas lumalim ang relasyon ko sa Diyos. Mas napatatag at napalalim ang pagkilala
ko sa Kanya. Nagkaroon ako takot na gumawa ng kasalanan sa kapwa ko lalo na sa
pamilya ko, ngunit tulad ng iba; ordinaryong tao at hindi perpekto sa lahat ng
bagay, nakagawa pa rin dito ng munting kasalanan na mairita sa kapwa ko
residente. What I’m hoping at ipinagdarasal na sana tulungan ng Panginoon Diyos
lahat ng tao dito lalo na ang mga may maling pag-uugali para hindi na sila
makahawa at makadamay sa kapwa nila residente na nagnanais na magbago para sa
kinabukasan ng pamilya lalo na ako na walang inisip kundi ang pamilya ko.
Ngayong Holy Week mas natutunan ko ang pagsunod sa
mga bagay – bagay lalo na kapag alam kong makakatulong ito sa sarili ko at kung
ito’y naaayon sa kagustuhan at kalooban ng Diyos. Naikumpisal ko na rin ang
nagawa kong kasalanan na hindi ko pa naikumpisal sa ibang pari ng magsimula na sumakay
ako sa barko hanggang sa madala ako dito sa center. Nakaluwag sa kalooban ko
ang mga bagay na naikumpisal ko na at alam kong matagal ko na ring dinadala.
Sa totoo marami
nang tulong ang Crossoads sa akin dahil dito ay nabago ang buhay ko kahit apat
na balik na ako dito. Okay lang sa akin dahil masaya dito at maraming
natutunan. Nag-mature ako sa loob ng rehab kaya gagawin ko ang makakaya ko
upang matigil na ang aking bisyo kasama ang pamilya ko sa CROSSROADS.
Nagpapasalamat ako kay Fr. Clifford dahil meron siyang ganitong rehab. Maraming
natutulungan at isa na ako doon at sana mag tuloy tuloy ang healthy family
dito. Nagpapasalamat din ako na sa mga naging caseload adviser ko dito dati na
sina Ate Kat at Kuya Albert, syempre sa aking caseload adviser ngayon na si Ate
Sheila. Salamat po dahil natulungan niyo ako na magbagong buhay. Maraming
salamat sa masasarap na pagkain Ate Menda, at malinis na paglalaba Ate Dayday
at Ate Mylene. Sa maliit na bagay ay napapasaya niyo ako kahit na matagal na
ako dito at talagang walang nangyari sa akin na masama. Sana gumaling na ako
upang tuloy na ako sa bagong buhay ko. Thank you CROSSROADS Family and to my
parents, mama and daddy, tito and tita, my cousin, kapatid na bunso, to my anak
Haiden and my girlfriend Dianne, Thank you and I Love You!
Bro. John Philip
Source: crosswalk.com
CROSSROADS, a
nice place
a haven of rest
like a Paraiso
where prayer
abounds
and a song of
praise is heard
where people met
their savior
and blessings
overflow…
I hope to have a
better future
After my stay here.
AWA
Ni Kuya Ritmo
Aba! Sino ba naman ako,
Munting nilalang sa mundong
Puno ng pait at hinagpis.
Sa kabila ng lahat, ako’y kina-awaan.
Minsan ako’y awang-awa
Bakit hinayaan kasalanan lumala,
Bakit nagkaganito aki’ng palad
Pasan ko’y pasakit,
Ni sinuma’y walang
Nais magkamit.
Awa’ng nais matamo
Awa’y ipinadama ng
Dakilang Ama sa langit.
Awa’y nakamit, buhay nabago.
Lawa ng awa, sana’y di mawalay
At kung ako’ng iyong nilikha’y
mawaglit,
Nawa ang iyong Dakilang awa
ganoon din ang iyong habag
Ay laging handa
Sa aking pagtawag.
Luha’t ko’t lungkot
Ngayon isa nang ngiti at galak,
Lahat ng ito’y dahil
Ako’y kina-awaan
Ng Aba kong Maykapal.
Lahat ng ako’y, alay sa iyo,
Awa’t mo’t habag,
Damay na rin iyong pagmamahal,
Naway maipadama ng iyong lingcod,
Sa iba mo pang tagasunod.
Awa mo’y Malaya ibinigay,
Awa mo’y malaya din kikilos
Sa sang-nilikha.
Awa moy kay tamis,
Magdudulot ng bagong
Pag-asa’t buhay sa
amin.
El hijo moderno
PADER
PANGARAP KONG PAGBABAGO
SALAMAT
Pagbabago
TAGPUAN
Dear Family
Come Visit and contact us at:
Address: 2230 National Road, Brgy. Beverly Hills, Antipolo CityEmail: crossroadsmshr@yahoo.com
Fb Page: https://www.facebook.com/rehabcentercrossroads
Website: https://crossroadsmshr.wixsite.com/mysite
Contact Number: 09397720385 / 8355-2624













Comments
Post a Comment