Why Do Mothers Cry?

New Year's Day
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Luke 2: 16-21: “Mary treasured all these things and reflected them in her heart.”



A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" She told him, "Because I'm a mother." "I don't understand" he said. His mom just hugged him and said, "And you will never understand it." The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mother cry. Finally he made a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do mother cry so easily?" God said, "When I made mothers I made them very special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from their children. I gave them a courage that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under any and all circumstances, even when their children have hurt them deeply. And finally, I gave them tears to shed. This is theirs exclusively to use whenever it is needed" "You see my son," said God, "The beauty of your mother is not in the clothes she wears, or the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of your mother must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart … the place where love resides."

Today is New Year’s Day and yet in the liturgical calendar, we are also celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. What’s the relevance of Mary as we begin our new year? It dawned on me that in our Filipino tradition, we don’t leave our home without saying goodbye to our parents especially to our mother. We need their blessings and assurance. In my own case, my nanay will never let me go without giving me a bear hug every time I return to New Bilibid Prison or in Zamboanga. It was not just an ordinary hug but an assurance of her support, concern and love as I leave home. I can feel that it pains her every time I say goodbye especially now that she’s all alone in our home; but she knows that I need to go. Why do my nanay cry? I know she wants me to stay home but keeping me will betray her motherhood … letting go her children and allowing us, her children, to find our own destiny.

In our gospel for today, I am sure that Mary had a mother’s instinct that her son is not an ordinary child. From that moment when her seemingly well-planned family life with Joseph was spoiled by the angel’s announcement that she will be the Mother of the God up to this moment where the shepherds “made known the message that had been told them about this child Jesus,” Mary cannot help but be amazed in great awe! The fullness of God’s presence in that inconspicuous “heaven” in a manger was both unbelievable and overwhelming. In this undoubtedly incomprehensible moment where logic and human understanding fail, there is only one thing to do … TO LISTEN. Mary did and kept everything in her heart and reflected them in her heart.

I am sure that Mary had a hunch - her newly born child will give her deep joy but also deep pain and sorrow. I am sure Mary cried every time her son was not in her sight.

Some people say that crying is a sign of weakness. But for those who have experienced letting go (dreams, expectations, and life itself) for righteousness and justice sake, shedding tears is a sign of courage. The battle within us to painfully surrender our own will to the will of God is not easy. It is painful… and tears have to flow. To believe in God is to deny ourselves for the sake of higher values. To believe in God is to continue to feel that inner struggle of “Shall I trust God or myself?” Miguel de Unamuno even said, “Those who believe that they believe in God, but without passion in their hearts, without anguish in mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, without an element of despair even in their consolation, believe only in the God idea, not God Himself.”

Mary felt it. Mary knows her little baby she’s gazing will give her pain as Simeon prophesized, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many, and to be a sign that will be contradicted – and you yourself a sword will pierce – so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” But as a mother, she cannot betray the fullness of her motherhood – to let go of her Jesus, allow him to grow, and find his own destiny (dying on the cross to save us) - even if it will make her cry.

As we enter another year, in the midst of global economic meltdown, increasing poverty, unending arm struggle in Mindanao, family breakdown and personal struggles and uncertainties, we cannot help but seek for some signs of hope in the midst of darkness. We need a shining star to guide us and Mary is the one. She is the Morning Star. Today, we come to her for two reasons: First, we ask for her motherly intercession for guidance and protection for the year. Second, we need an inspiration to face the uncertainties and anxieties of the Year 2009. Like us, Mary’s life was full of contradictions, uncertainties, and doubt, yet she showed us how trust God. We hope that her life will inspire us to follow the same path of leaving our lives in God’s hands. It is consoling to trust our future to someone who holds the future.

In the midst of anxieties and uncertainties in this New Year, there is only one thing to do. Let’s learn from Mary.

Let’s LEARN to STOP and

LISTEN to what the events in our life are telling us,
LISTEN to what people around us are telling us, and most of all,
LISTEN to what God wants us to do.

LISTEN, keep everything in your HEART and REFLECT!

And one day, you will suddenly understand Mary, why do mothers cry, and why you should trust God.





- Fr. Willy M. Samson,SJ
St. Joseph Chapel,
South Greenheights Village, Muntinlupa

Ang Pasko ng Isang Magbabalot

“Balooot! Balooot!” ang malakas na sigaw ni Anton, “sana makarami ako ng benta ngayon nang maibili ko man lamang si Ana ng paborito niyang tsokolate, tinapay,at keso.” Bitbit niya ang kanyang panindang balot na kahahango pa lamang sa balutan. Alas diyes na. Lilimang balot pa lamang ang kanyang naibebenta.
Napatingin siya sa mga naggagandahang bahay na ngayo’y napapalamutian ng naglalakihang parol. Ang mga bintana’y naiilawan nang maliliwanag at makukulay na Christmas light. Malakas na tawanan, masisiglang awiting pamasko, sigaw ng mga batang bihis na bihis at naglalakad sa lansangan. Ito ang namamayani ngayong gabi, bisperas ng Pasko. May kanya- kanyang bitbit ang lahat, pagkain marahil para sa noche buena o di kaya nama’y mga regalo.

“Balooot! Balooot!” ang patuloy niyang sigaw ngunit ang kanyang tinig ay nalulunod ng kasiyahan sa paligid. Matumal ang benta ng balot kung Pasko. Ano nga ba ang balot sa harap ng hamon, keso de bola, kastanyas, at iba pang masasarap na pagkain? Ngunit walang alam na hanap-buhay si Anton kundi magtinda ng balot.

“Balooot! Balooot!” ang kanyang walang sawang sigaw habang naglalaro ang kanyang gunita. “Sayang,” ang kanyang bulalas sa sarili, “pitong taon na at wala pa rin kaming anak ni Ana.” Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang kanyang pinawalan, “Kung hindi lamang nagkadiperensiya sa kanyang matres si Ana, sana mayroon na akong anak na reregaluhan ng mga damit at laruan ngayong Pasko. Sana mayroon nang sasalubong sa aking pag- uwi ngayong noche buena. Sana.”

Napatingin siya sa isang lalaking nakasalubong niya na may kalung-kalong na batang mahimbing na natutulog.”Buti pa siya… buti pa siya…,” ang bulong ni Anton.

“Balooot! Balooot!” ang patuloy na pagsigaw ni Anton. Minamalat na siya. Alas onse na. Lilimang balot pa rin ang kaniyang naibenta.

“ Ang tsokolate’t keso ni Ana?” ang kanyang bulalas sa sarili, “ Kaming dalawa na naman ba ang kakain nito? Sayang, wala kaming anak.” Pinakinggan niya ang paligid – tawanan ng mga bata ang kanyang naririnig na nanggagaling kung saan saan. Nasabi niya sa kanyang sarili, “Totoo. Ang Pasko ay para sa bata.”

Tumingin siya sa langit – madilim. Pinakiramdaman niya ang paligid – malamig. Tila nakikiramay ang mga ito sa kanyang nararamdaman. Parang ayaw na niyang umuwi sa kaniyang bahay. Ibig niyang magtanong sa Diyos. Nahabag siya sa sarili. Kay Ana. “ Mabuti pa sila… mabuti pa sila,” ang paulit-ulit niyang bulong.

Pagod na siya kasisigaw ng kanyang paninda. Nagsawa na siya. Naisipan niyang umuwi na lamang at mag-noche buena ng balut. Mabagal niyang tinahak ang makipot at mahabang eskinita patungo sa kaniyang bahay. Tahimik ang paligid. Madilim. Malamig.

Walang anu-ano’y isang tinig ng lalaki na nanggagaling sa isang barung – barong ang kaniyang narinig, “ Balot! Balot! Mayroon pa po ba?” Napatawa siya sa sarili. “ Balot, ngayong Pasko? Marahil tulad ko, wala rin siyang pambili ng tsokolate’t keso.” Lumapit si Anton sa bahay ng lalaki, tulad ng bahay niya, ito’y gawa sa pinagtagpi – tagping yerong segunda mano tila galing sa labi ng sunog.

“Buti na lamang at nagdaan po kayo rito. Naghahanap po ng balot ang asawa ko.” Ang sabi ng lalaki, “Pasok po kayo. “ Nagtatakang pumasok si Anton sa maliit na bahay.


Bumungad sa kanya ang isang babaeng nakahiga at yakap –yakap ang isang malusog na sanggol. Kapapanganak lamang ng sanggol. Pawisan ang babae at tila pagod na pagod, samantalang mahimbing na natutulog naman ang sanggol. Mabilis na lumapit ang lalaki, hinalikan sa pisngi ang kanyang bagong anak at marahang tumabi sa babae. Napatitig siya sa kanyang nakita. Namalik – mata. Nakita niyang bigla: Jose. Maria. Hesus. Maya – maya, napansin niyang iniaabot na niya sa babae ang basket ng balot. Isang ngiti ang biglang sumilay sa mukha ng babae nang makita ang balot.

“Regalo ko sa inyo ngayong Pasko,” ang sabi ni Anton, “maaari ko bang mahawakan at mahalikan man lamang ang inyong anak?” Nagkatinginan ang mag-asawa at tumango pagkatapos. Sabik na sabik na kinalong ni Anton ang sanggol at marahang hinagkan ito. Hinaplos-haplos niya ang maselang kutis. Niyakap. Damang-dama ni Anton ang init ng sanggol. Buhay na buhay ito. At pagkatapos, marahan niyang ibinalik ang sanggol sa kanyang inang may pagtataka sa ikinilos ni Anton. Nakabibinging katahimikan ang naghari sa maliit na barong – barong.

“ Si Ana! Oo nga pala, si Ana ko!” ang biglang naibulalas ni Anton, “ Alas dose na pala!” Mabilis na nagpaaalam si Anton at nagdudumaling lumisan. Hindi na niya kinuha ang basket ng balot. Hindi na niya narinig ang lalaking tigib na nagpasalamat.

Mabilis niyang tinahak ang madilim na landas pauwi. Napatingin siyang muli sa langit. Madilim pa rin. Ngunit ngayon lamang niya napansin ang napakaraming bituing kumukutitap at nagbibigay liwanag sa kalangitan.

Malamig pa rin ang simoy ng hangin.Ngunit nadarama pa rin niya ang init ng ngiti ng babae, at ang init ng katawan ng sanggol na dumampi sa kanya.

Narinig pa rin niya ang tawanan ng mga bata. Ngunit naalala niya ngayon si Ana. Tiyak na naghihintay at nag-aalala na ito. Hindi niya maintindihan ang nararamdaman, kakaibang kasiyahan ang namamayani sa kanyang puso.

Naibulalas niya sa kanyang sarili: “salamat Jose. Salamat Maria. Salamat Hesus.” Pasko na.





- ni Fr. Willy M. Samson,SJ
Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Homily for the Wedding of Anna Leah and Ronald Dayupay

One Sunday, Pedro visited his grandparents. His lolo was delighted to see his favorite grandchild. In his excitement, lolo shouted, “Honey! Honnneeyy, your favorite apo is here!” Pedro smiled, “Lolo, you are very sweet, at the age of 80, you still call lola honey!” His lolo smiles and winks at him, “Ssssss…hush! Keep quiet. I’m calling her honey because I already forgot your lola’s name.”

We may be laughing or smiling now. But there is a pinch of reality in the story. Some marriages are on the rocks because couples who promised to hold each other’s hand and be faithful to each other “till death do us part” have forgotten their wedding promise. If there is a global economic meltdown, there is also the crisis of “marriage or family meltdown.”

In your chosen gospel for today, Ronald and Leah, the Lord is exhorting you to remember the following words: REMAIN IN MY LOVE (John 15:9-13). It is also one way of saying, REMAIN IN EACH OTHERS’ LOVE. When a new couple is married, sometimes we have so much expectation from each other. But be aware that love will have a different color and expression after the wedding. Your marriage will be tested to its limit, but if you genuinely love each other and you have accepted one another, your marriage will stand and survive the test of time.

Today, as we witness this celebration of love unfolding in our midst. Ronald and Leah, allow me to walk you through this “walk to married life.” Don’t forget our gospel for today: REMAIN IN GOD’S LOVE… REMAIN IN EACH OTHER’S LOVE. Too much expectation from each other can be blinding. Do not be blinded by the Korean and Pinoy tele-novela love stories, where all love stories should end in “kissing and ringing of bells and they live happily after.” The End.

In marriage, real love story begins when your own “movie-like” love story ends. For you Ronald and Leah, we know that fate brought you together in. As far as I recall, it was during the height of the epidemic SARS when Ronald went home from Taiwan and met Leah again since college. As Ronald would put it, “when I saw her, I felt the “magic feeling” towards Leah that I cannot explain. After that everything went so fast. Now both of you are here. Ready to tie the knot. THE END. Nope, it is not the end but the beginning of something more real and profound – two unique souls becoming one.

All feet on the ground, Ronald and Leah. You need to sustain that “magic” in a different but more profound way. Face the reality, so that you will not be disappointed. Marriage life is like having a cell phone… sometimes you don’t have enough load, sometimes you don’t have enough money or resources. Sometimes it seems there’s “no signal,” then move and do something, find your signal and communicate. Sometimes its low bat … then time to recharge your marriage by returning to your wedding day promise you are doing today - for better or for worst, till death do us part.

The beauty of married life is in journeying together. It is in your journey you will experience different moments of falling in love, falling out love and choosing to love. Married life is a roller coaster ride, it has ups and downs, but do not be afraid, just open your eyes because God is journeying with you. This is the promise and blessing of the sacrament of matrimony.

If Stephen Covey has “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” allow me to share my own “Seven Habits of Highly Happy Marriage” It’s a way of life on how to REMAIN IN EACH OTHER’S LOVE. The Seven Habits of a Happy Marriage are: to see, to listen, to touch, to chat, to pray, to walk, and to live.

To see – Learn to see each other by understanding each other in the eyes of love. Try to see the “You and I” in each other … that from now on, in married life, you are forever united and cannot be separated. You are one flesh.

To listen – Learn to humbly listen to one another. There are still so much to learn from each other. To listen is to know and to know is to understand. Conflicts of ideas may still arise but listen and you will survive any trials of your married life.

To touch – Be sensitive enough to each other and spend time together. Anything you can feel, you can heal. Learn to be sensitive to the needs of each other and you will heal and forgive each other. Console each other when crisis comes and celebrate each other’s joy in times of victories.

To chat – Learn to share stories to one another, even the mundane and boring stories. Ronal and Leah, listen to one another. The problem with married couples now is they don’t know how to listen to each other’s stories. There are lots of “us” to know in the ordinary stories of life.

To pray – Learn to pray together. What you decide in prayer together will determine the quality of your family life. Remember to consult God. If there is a third party allowed in married life, it is HIM. Remember that old sayings, the family that prays together stays together.

To walk – Always walk and work together. After this wedding ceremony, everything you do is a “family project.” It is no longer Tindahan ni Kuya but Tindahan ni Kuya at Ate. There’s no “I” in married life but always “us” and “we.”

To live – Enjoy married life. It is not just raising a family. It is still you Ronald and Leah. It is unfortunate that many couples forgot their friendship when already married. They are so caught up in raising their children. Once in a while find time to do things you love to do together. Food tripping and window shopping in SM. Attend Mass together in this church. Visit your parents together . Eat custard cake together. Clean the KIA car together. Dream of going to US together. Do things you enjoy doing together even if you have already kids. Your friendship is too beautiful to forget after today’s ceremony. After all, your friendship is the foundation of your married life.

Learn to choose to love and fall in love everyday. Say YES to each other everyday. And before you know it, years from now, your children will embrace and thank you for giving them a wonderful family.

It is true that not all marriages are made in heaven. But with your constant and unwavering love and by remembering to see, to listen, to touch, to chat, to pray, to walk, and to live together daily, you will make your marriage and your home, a piece of heaven here on earth.


- Fr. Willy M. Samson,SJ
Our Lady of Assumption Church – Davao City
December 20, 2008

Santa Claus, Manny Pacquiao, and Jesus

3rd Sunday of Advent
John 1: 6-8, 19-28 “He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might
believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to
testify to the light.”



I cannot help but smile when the picture of laughing Old Santa Claus welcomes me at the door of the sacristy in Ateneo de Zamboanga chapel. I know that Christmas is just around the bend! Santa Claus is a very prominent character in our Christmas tradition. I have nothing against Santa, for when I was child, Santa brought thrills and joy when Christmas day comes as I eagerly look forward for his gift under the Christmas tree. Now I know Santa is not real, but he symbolizes joy to me. “He was not the light, but he testified to the light.”

I cannot help but smile again when I recall the last victory of the underdog Manny Pacquiao against the heavily favoured Oscar De la Hoya. The whole nation stopped to watch the Pacquiao and cheered for his victory. At that moment, we are proud to be a Filipino. His victory gave joy to the Filipino people. But we know that Manny is not the saviour of our country, but his victory inspires many to persevere and not to lose hope. “He was not the light, but he testified to the light.”

As we move closer to Christmas season, we ask ourselves, where can get that real JOY. Santa Claus and Manny Paquiao can make us happy but not to last for a lifetime. We need more than that. We need real happiness that comes from within us, a joy that comes not from “having things or winning.” We need JOY that will never fade away and will always remain with us.

Rejoice! It’s Gaudete Sunday, a Sunday that exhorts us to rejoice. The lighting of the rose candle reminds us that this is the time of great expectation for we have found the real source of fade-proof JOY – that is JESUS.

In our gospel for today, the priests and the Levites came to John to ask him if he is the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet who is to come. John responded that he was none of these. He was the one who is preparing the way for the Lord. They were not sincerely seeking the Messiah – the source of real JOY.

But we are. We are looking for His presence in our lives. We are looking for that JOY that will last for a lifetime. We are looking for his presence in our midst and within us right now. We are looking for Him to heal us, our families and our country. We are grateful to Pacquiao for giving us a little smile in our seemingly hopeless nation. Our “Santa Clauses” may make us jump for the giving us top of the line laptop and other expensive gifts. But the happiness will eventually fade away. What we need is a Joy that will never last. And Jesus is the only one who can give such Joy.

Unfortunately, in our gospel today, John disappointingly said, “There is one among you whom you do not recognize…” We failed to recognize that Jesus is always with us. We are distracted with so many things of lesser value. The lights, smell, taste, and sounds of secular and materialistic Christmas celebration may distract us from seeing the Savior who is always with us. Thus, we lost the JOY!

Our beautiful Filipino Christmas tradition should inspire us to go the Manger Scene. They should lead us to the newly born baby Jesus – our Saviour. Let us not be tempted and be blinded by the beauty of the gift wrappings that we never dare to look what’s inside the box. “There is one among you whom you do not recognize.”

This Christmas Season, let’s remind one another of the Incarnate God who are in our midst – the source of real JOY. We are Christians. Be proud and say, “Merry Christmas”. Don’t just say, “Season’s greetings,” or even “Happy Holidays.” Say “Merry Christmas.” Our greetings should be a statement of our faith – a reminder of the forgotten God. Christmas is the celebration of the greatest birth to ever take place, God becoming man in Jesus Christ. We have a good reason to celebrate and rejoice!

Many of us have already received their Christmas bonuses. Many of us are trooping now to the malls, seeking for something to fill their needs this Christmas. Children are looking for toys; young adults are looking for gifts that express love; my Nanay is thinking of food to fill our table for Noche Buena ; I do need to find a gift for my monita for our Christmas party; the Jesuits are asked to bring five gallons of ice cream for the clergy and religious Christmas party. These are all good. This is how we celebrate Christmas and we love them.

But what is it that we really need? What is it that we are really seeking? Something that will last and stay when Christmas is over.

The late Pope John Paul II said, “It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness. He is waiting for you when nothing else ever satisfies you. He is the beauty to which you are so attracted. It is He who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise. It is He that urges you to shed the masks of a false life. It is He who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs up in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.”

Our world will be different when we allow Jesus to control our lives. Our whole values and priorities changes because we found the Messiah – the real treasure and the source of real JOY. Finding Jesus is finding our everything… and finding Him is finding ourselves. And that’s worth REJOICING!


Santa comes but once a year. Jesus is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...Jesus supplies all your needs.
Santa lets you sit on his lap ...Jesus lets you rest in His Arms.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...JESUS has a heart full of love.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...JESUS became our gift and died on the tree, for you and me.

Pacquiao, in the midst of his victory as the new “pound for pound king” humbly bowed to the real KING when he said in one interview, “When you pray, do not just tell God your problem. Tell your problem, you have a great God.”

We need to remember, WHO the real KING is.
JESUS is still the reason for the season.



- Fr.Willy M. Samson,SJ
Zamboanga Catedral
December 14, 2008

Joystick

2nd Sunday of Advent
Mark 1: 1-8 “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”



A basketball in my hands is worth about 100 pesos
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

The lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb and many other sick people
In my hands might find comfort.
But the lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb and other sick people
In Jesus’ hand will find total healing and consolation.
It depends whose hand they are in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Most of our sins come from our desire to control everything around us - people, environment, events, and most of all the will of God. In our desire to control everything, we put everything in our hands. Pain and frustration come when we failed to control people, events, and fate. God wants us to let go of our compulsion to control, leave the joystick in God’s hand and He will take care of us.

Our advent readings for today remind us to prepare the way for the coming of our Savior Jesus - the Son of God who put his whole life in his Father’s hands and found fulfillment in following the will of God. Jesus knows that life’s fulfillment and meaning depends on whose hand it’s in. He knows it is good to leave everything into the hands of somebody who holds the future.

Unfortunately, we don’t want to put our total trust in God’s hands. We find God slow in answering our prayers. Sometimes we don’t want his way of handling things. We don’t want to wait. Waiting for us may mean delays, uncertainties and labor in different queue of life for a long time. Waiting gives us pain and makes us impatience. We want an instant solution, instant answer, and instant success. Thus, to put our life in God’s hand and allow him to take control of our life’s joystick becomes difficult for us. Trusting God becomes our lifelong struggle and I realize that most of my sins come from my desire to control everything including God.

Advent is a time to STOP and joyfully surrender to God our life’s joystick. Allow God’s hands to show us the way, the truth and the life. When we allow the Lord to run our lives, our waiting becomes a joyful anticipation that something wonderful is about to unfold in our lives. A certain excitement builds up within us and we find ourselves looking forward to something new and life-giving. We need to have an open mind for this kind of waiting - a willingness to accept whatever happens or whoever enters our world. We need a big bag of patience and faith here. Although sometimes, when it seems that God’s answer seems nowhere in sight, we complain that God seems oblivious to our needs. But in our Second Reading, Peter gave us an assurance to let go and let God, “the Lord is not being slow to carry out his promises”. On the contrary, “He is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways.” ( 2 Peter 3:9).

We may end up of frustrated, sad and hopeless when we place everything in our hands. Fear not. Look at Jesus, Mary, and Joseph who placed their trust in God’s hands - that full trust they rendered to God allowed Him to fully use them. They became His channels of grace and turned their lives into a miracle.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Our happiness and fulfillment depend on whose hands we place our trust.
In this advent season, why not totally trust God and see the difference? Remember, when you jump in faith, God will do two possible things … He will either catch you or give you wings to fly.




-Fr. Willy M. Samson, SJ
Western Mindanao Medical Center
December 7, 2008