Good political, spiritual shepherds needed
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sat, 11 May 2019 16:20:15 +0000
A FATHER wanted to know what profession his four kids would pursue. So in a small room, on a table, he placed a stethoscope, a book in civil law and a Bible.
He then called his kids one after the other and made them pick what they wanted. One took the stethoscope. “He wants to be a doctor,” the man whispered.
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The other one got the book on civil law. “He wants to be a lawyer.” Then the next one took the Bible. “He wants to be a priest.”
Then came the youngest. He went round and round the table. Finally, he took all the stuff! Baffled, the father thought: “Ah, he wants to be a politician.”
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That story shows not only the different vocations but also the not-so-flattering regard of politicians as caricatured by the youngest son. Obviously, not all politicians are considered that way. Tomorrow, May 13, is Election Day in the country. Let us pray for HOPE – Honest, Peaceful, Orderly Election.
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What’s most important is that we pray, reflect and vote for good political shepherds and leaders. If we vote for candidates who have a bad track record and known plunderers, and have not shown any positive achievement for their constituents, then we have nobody to blame except ourselves. Let’s not succumb to vote-buying, empty promises and mere popularity of the candidates. Remember it’s the country and the future of your children that are at stake. YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE!
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Today is GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY. It focuses primarily on the call or vocation of spiritual shepherds in the Church like bishops, priests, lay brothers and nuns. It’s also the call of those who exercise authority, like politicians, parents, superiors.
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The call to the religious life is not always dramatic or extraordinary. It can be casual or totally unexpected. One young man, for instance, who is now a priest related that he was inspired by a talk of a visiting missionary working in Africa. Another relates that he entered a religious congregation through a crumpled brochure which he picked up from a trash can. He later kidded: “I got my vocation from the basura.”
So God calls in mysterious ways.
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In today’s World Prayer Day for Religious Vocations, let’s not only pray for religious vocations but also ENCOURAGE and SUPPORT young men and women who have the desire to take the “less travelled road.”
Parents can show their love and faith for God by supporting and encouraging their children. The truth is: it is God who manifests his love for parents when he chooses one of their children to serve Him. Sadly, however, some parents discourage their child who wants to pursue their religious aspiration.
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Anyone who is interested to enter the religious life, may get in touch with his/her parish priest or a vocation director/directress.
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Today is also MOTHERS’ DAY. We pray for God’s choicest blessings on all mothers – living or dead, happy or unhappy, solo or widowed.
A Jewish saying goes: “God cannot be everywhere so He created mothers.”
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THE LIGHER SIDE. 10 men and one woman were clinging to a rope hanging down from a helicopter. One person had to let go or they would all die. The woman volunteered saying mothers are used to making sacrifices for their husbands and children. When she finished speaking, all the men clapped…and fell down!
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FAMILY TV MASS – is aired on TV5 PLUS Channel 59 at 6-7 a.m. every Sunday and at U-Tube on “The Filipino Catholic” at 8am; also on international GMA Pinoy TV. Sponsor: ST. ARNOLD JANSSEN PARISH. Celebrant: FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD.
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The FAMILY that prays together stays together.