The Blessed Virgin Mary
in the Life and Mission of
Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life
CFC-FFL was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary last August 10, 2007. On October 2 we formulated our Core Values. The two events are intimately connected, and we look to our Mother Mary as the personification of and the model for living out our Core Values. Just as our Core Values function as our constant guideposts as we proceed with our life and mission, so Mary likewise is our guide. (CFC-FFL paper, Nov. 9, 2007)
Mary is at the very core of the life and mission of the Church quietly interceding and praying. Mary is also at the very heart of our community.
As we have redefined ourselves in community as being an integral part of the Church with our life and mission strictly adhering to the values, ideals and teachings of our Catholic faith, we therefore look to Mary, the Mother of the Church, as our inspiration.
More than ever, we would like to focus on Mary as our model for living out our life in community.
She serves as our model of holiness, faith, humility, obedience, total trust in God, hope, joy and discipleship. We look to Mary as our inspiration and help as she intercedes for us.
We therefore need to make an effort within ourselves, our families, our households, and our community to ensure Mary’s becoming an integral part of our lives. Our children need to experience Mary in our homes. Our community needs to put Mary in a place of honor during assemblies, conferences, ministry activities and households. We also need to always remember to call on her to intercede for our community’s needs. Our involvement in our parish should include support for Marian devotions and other related activities.
Practical Application in our Community Life
A. Personal and Family Life
1. Make Mary our model of obedience and faith by following her virtues.
2. Raise our children in appreciating and following Mary’s virtues and to look up to her as our Mother in heaven.
3. Read up on Marian books.
- “Forty Days with Mary” by Frank Padilla, “Mama Mary and Her Children” by Fr. James
Reuter, “Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary for Families” by Jerry
Conicker, etc.
4. Practice devotions and offer novenas to Mary.
- Mother of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our lady of Guadalupe, Mary Mediatrix of
All Grace, etc.
5. Make it a habit to pray the rosary regularly. Offer it for peace in our families, our community, our country and the whole world. 6. Carry a rosary in your pocket daily. 7. Encourage the practice of family prayers by praying the rosary together as a family on a regular basis. 8. Have an image of the Blessed Mother on your home’s altar.
B. Parish Life
1. Actively participate in important Marian celebrations of the parish.
2. Support the diocese/parish in their Communitarian Praying of the Rosary.
3. Actively participate in the parish during the Children’s Rosary Crusade Prayer Rally every
October with our CFC Kids for Family and Life members of the parish.
C. CFC-FFL Community Life
1. CFC-FFL and its ministries’ assemblies may be preceded by the recitation of the rosary.
2. It is encouraged that the image of Our Lady should take a prominent position in all our
assemblies.
3. It is encouraged that each District and/or parish-based chapter has its own image of Our Lady. Images of Our Lady are available in our FFL Shoppe.
4. The CFC-FFL prayer of consecration to Our Lady may be prayed during household meetings and assemblies.
5. Members of CFC-FFL should have teachings and formation on Mary. There should be teachings on the Church and Mary, and Mary and the Rosary. 6. All CFC-FFL members should know how to pray the Rosary. 7. Consider each household having its own image of Our Lady, which will be moved from one host to the other. The image will stay with the host family, so the family can pray the rosary together before the image daily, until it is transferred to the next host after their household meeting. This can serve as our own community’s family rosary crusade per household. 8. The community will have its yearly Marian Pilgrimage. 9. The different districts through their parishes and the CFC Kids for Family and Life should actively participate in the Children’s Rosary Crusade Rally every October. 10. The international community of CFC-FFL in coordination with their respective parishes will be active participants of the Beads for Peace every October being spearheaded by CFC-FFL Manila.
(Approved Feb 9, 2008)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
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Friday, February 8, 2008
Reflection #17
Today's readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 51:3-19
It was around this time last year (start of Lent) when we started our journey into Lamentations. It was quite a journey. I believe we are all much better off now as a result of that journey. Today, once again as we have entered Lent, the trumpets are sounded. The prophet speaks to us as he is told to "lift up your voice like a trumpet blast" (Is 58:1).
God has an important message for us.There are many, especially in community, who "seek (God) day after day, and desire to know (His) ways" (Is 58:2a). They have a daily prayer time and are undergoing formation and growth to discipleship. They fast and they make sacrifices. And it is but natural for them to expect God's blessings. They believe they are pleasing to God. But God says there is something that is lacking. External worship must be accompanied by internal sincerity.
These same people may be just concerned about their own well-being, do injustice to others, and quarrel and fight with each other (Is 58:3b-4a). Are we not the same? Are not quite a few members of community the same? Is it any wonder then that, despite our "spirituality" and our trying to live as a people of God, we continue to incur His wrath?
What needs to happen? When is a day of fasting, when we go through the usual observances, a day that is acceptable to the Lord (Is 58:5)? True fasting, and true living in Christ, is a matter of justice (Is 58:6) and mercy (Is 58:7). This is our posture towards all, but especially to our own brethren. We are "not (to turn our) back on (our) own" (Is 58:7).
Let us examine ourselves.
* Do we speak ill against a brother or sister?
* Do we hold grudges against a brother or sister?
* Are we unable to forgive a brother or sister?
* Do we oppress or isolate a brother or sister through lack of full acceptance?
* Are we the cause of our brother or sister having to carry an onerous yoke?
* Are we quick to judge the seeming shortcomings of a brother or sister?
* Do we withhold something that rightfully belongs to a brother or sister?
How do we break out of such a mold? First, we must recognize that we ourselves are sinners (Ps 51:5). We fall short of God's expectations. And so before we can extend mercy to others, we must first of all ask for God's mercy (Ps 51:1a). Recognizing ourselves as sinners also helps us not to become judgmental or dismissive of others. We realize we may be looking at the splinter in the other's eye while missing the plank in our own.
Second, we must know what God wants of us. It is not just being in community, not just serving him, not just having a daily prayer time. It is of course all of these, but more. Something more basic. Something at our very core, and not just our veneer. What God looks for is holiness. Holiness is about purity and integrity. It is all about the disposition of our hearts. Our heart represents the very core of who we are. We can cover up our sinfulness with exterior spirituality, but God knows what is in our hearts. And so God looks for "sincerity of heart" (Ps 51:8), "a clean heart" (Ps 51:12a), "a steadfast spirit" (Ps 51:12b), "a willing spirit" (Ps 51:14b), "a broken spirit" (Ps 51:19a), "a broken, humbled heart" (Ps 51:19b).
When we have such a heart, then we will become just and merciful. To be just is to give to others what is their due as children of God. To be merciful is to be compassionate towards others, extending forbearance and the love of Jesus, becoming channels of God's grace to all. Now such is true fasting.
What is the result? This is especially relevant for us in CFC-FFL.
* "Then your light shall break forth like the dawn" (Is 58:8a). We shall rise up from the ash
heap and bask in the blessings of God, and the light of Christ will shine forth from and through
us.
* "and your wound shall quickly be healed" (Is 58:8b). The wounds and pains of our
Lamentations will be healed.* "Your vindication shall go before you" (Is 58:8c). In God's own
time and way, we shall be vindicated, when the truth is known to all.
* "and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard" (Is 58:8d). With restoration, God's
anointing returns, and we will do our mission in the power of the Spirit, to the glory of God.
* "Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer" (Is 58:9a). God will once again be responsive to
us, not forsaking us due to our veering away.
* "you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!" (Is 58:9b). God will once again be right
there in our midst. Always. Until the end of the age.
God is never outdone in generosity!
Our life in Christ now is all about restoration that leads to joy. "Restore my joy in your salvation" (Ps 51:14a).
Now restored, we continue with our work of proclaiming Christ. "I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you." (Ps 51:15). We ourselves first of all learn the lessons of Lamentations, and turn away from our infidelities, and return fully to God's plan and will for us. Then we help one another in our community to live lives of justice and mercy. Then we go forth, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim Christ and be God's instruments in renewing the face of the earth.
God bless us all.
"For to me life is Christ, and death is gain." (Phil 1:21)
It was around this time last year (start of Lent) when we started our journey into Lamentations. It was quite a journey. I believe we are all much better off now as a result of that journey. Today, once again as we have entered Lent, the trumpets are sounded. The prophet speaks to us as he is told to "lift up your voice like a trumpet blast" (Is 58:1).
God has an important message for us.There are many, especially in community, who "seek (God) day after day, and desire to know (His) ways" (Is 58:2a). They have a daily prayer time and are undergoing formation and growth to discipleship. They fast and they make sacrifices. And it is but natural for them to expect God's blessings. They believe they are pleasing to God. But God says there is something that is lacking. External worship must be accompanied by internal sincerity.
These same people may be just concerned about their own well-being, do injustice to others, and quarrel and fight with each other (Is 58:3b-4a). Are we not the same? Are not quite a few members of community the same? Is it any wonder then that, despite our "spirituality" and our trying to live as a people of God, we continue to incur His wrath?
What needs to happen? When is a day of fasting, when we go through the usual observances, a day that is acceptable to the Lord (Is 58:5)? True fasting, and true living in Christ, is a matter of justice (Is 58:6) and mercy (Is 58:7). This is our posture towards all, but especially to our own brethren. We are "not (to turn our) back on (our) own" (Is 58:7).
Let us examine ourselves.
* Do we speak ill against a brother or sister?
* Do we hold grudges against a brother or sister?
* Are we unable to forgive a brother or sister?
* Do we oppress or isolate a brother or sister through lack of full acceptance?
* Are we the cause of our brother or sister having to carry an onerous yoke?
* Are we quick to judge the seeming shortcomings of a brother or sister?
* Do we withhold something that rightfully belongs to a brother or sister?
How do we break out of such a mold? First, we must recognize that we ourselves are sinners (Ps 51:5). We fall short of God's expectations. And so before we can extend mercy to others, we must first of all ask for God's mercy (Ps 51:1a). Recognizing ourselves as sinners also helps us not to become judgmental or dismissive of others. We realize we may be looking at the splinter in the other's eye while missing the plank in our own.
Second, we must know what God wants of us. It is not just being in community, not just serving him, not just having a daily prayer time. It is of course all of these, but more. Something more basic. Something at our very core, and not just our veneer. What God looks for is holiness. Holiness is about purity and integrity. It is all about the disposition of our hearts. Our heart represents the very core of who we are. We can cover up our sinfulness with exterior spirituality, but God knows what is in our hearts. And so God looks for "sincerity of heart" (Ps 51:8), "a clean heart" (Ps 51:12a), "a steadfast spirit" (Ps 51:12b), "a willing spirit" (Ps 51:14b), "a broken spirit" (Ps 51:19a), "a broken, humbled heart" (Ps 51:19b).
When we have such a heart, then we will become just and merciful. To be just is to give to others what is their due as children of God. To be merciful is to be compassionate towards others, extending forbearance and the love of Jesus, becoming channels of God's grace to all. Now such is true fasting.
What is the result? This is especially relevant for us in CFC-FFL.
* "Then your light shall break forth like the dawn" (Is 58:8a). We shall rise up from the ash
heap and bask in the blessings of God, and the light of Christ will shine forth from and through
us.
* "and your wound shall quickly be healed" (Is 58:8b). The wounds and pains of our
Lamentations will be healed.* "Your vindication shall go before you" (Is 58:8c). In God's own
time and way, we shall be vindicated, when the truth is known to all.
* "and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard" (Is 58:8d). With restoration, God's
anointing returns, and we will do our mission in the power of the Spirit, to the glory of God.
* "Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer" (Is 58:9a). God will once again be responsive to
us, not forsaking us due to our veering away.
* "you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!" (Is 58:9b). God will once again be right
there in our midst. Always. Until the end of the age.
God is never outdone in generosity!
Our life in Christ now is all about restoration that leads to joy. "Restore my joy in your salvation" (Ps 51:14a).
Now restored, we continue with our work of proclaiming Christ. "I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you." (Ps 51:15). We ourselves first of all learn the lessons of Lamentations, and turn away from our infidelities, and return fully to God's plan and will for us. Then we help one another in our community to live lives of justice and mercy. Then we go forth, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim Christ and be God's instruments in renewing the face of the earth.
God bless us all.
"For to me life is Christ, and death is gain." (Phil 1:21)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
A Reminder from Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI: Almsgivers Shouldn't Seek Applause
Pope's Lenten Message Focuses on Assisting Poor
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 29, 2008 (Zenit org). - Benedict XVI says that Lent is a perfect time for helping the poor, but urges Christians to give alms with the sole intention of seeking God's glory.
The Pope encouraged almsgiving in his Lenten message, dated Oct. 30 and released today by the Vatican. The theme of the message is "Christ Made Himself Poor for You."
The Holy Father said, "Lent […] stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters."
He recalled the specific Lenten tasks proposed by the Church -- prayer, fasting and almsgiving -- and dedicated the message to a reflection on giving alms, "a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods."
"The force of attraction to material riches and just how categorical our decision must be not to make of them an idol, Jesus confirms in a resolute way: 'You cannot serve God and mammon,'" the Pontiff noted. "Almsgiving helps us to overcome this constant temptation, teaching us to respond to our neighbor's needs and to share with others whatever we possess through divine goodness.
"This is the aim of the special collections in favor of the poor, which are promoted during Lent in many parts of the world. In this way, inward cleansing is accompanied by a gesture of ecclesial communion, mirroring what already took place in the early Church."
Stewardship
Benedict XVI noted how the Gospel teaches that we are only administrators, not owners, of material goods.
They are "means through which the Lord calls each one of us to act as a steward of his providence for our neighbor," he explained.
The Holy Father said the invitation to stewardship is even greater in predominantly Christian countries: "In those countries whose population is majority Christian, the call to share is even more urgent, since their responsibility toward the many who suffer poverty and abandonment is even greater. To come to their aid is a duty of justice even prior to being an act of charity."
Hidden love
The Pope clarified, however, that Gospel charity should be hidden.
"Everything, then, must be done for God's glory and not our own," he said. "This understanding, dear brothers and sisters, must accompany every gesture of help to our neighbor, avoiding that it becomes a means to make ourselves the center of attention. If, in accomplishing a good deed, we do not have as our goal God's glory and the real well-being of our brothers and sisters, looking rather for a return of personal interest or simply of applause, we place ourselves outside of the Gospel vision.
"In today's world of images, attentive vigilance is required, since this temptation is great. Almsgiving, according to the Gospel, is not mere philanthropy: Rather it is a concrete expression of charity, a theological virtue that demands interior conversion to love of God and neighbor, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who, dying on the cross, gave his entire self for us."
God's joy
Benedict XVI considered the benefits of almsgiving for the one who gives.
He said: "In inviting us to consider almsgiving with a more profound gaze that transcends the purely material dimension, Scripture teaches us that there is more joy in giving than in receiving. When we do things out of love, we express the truth of our being; indeed, we have been created not for ourselves but for God and our brothers and sisters.
"Every time when, for love of God, we share our goods with our neighbor in need, we discover that the fullness of life comes from love and all is returned to us as a blessing in the form of peace, inner satisfaction and joy. Our Father in heaven rewards our almsgiving with his joy."
"Lent, also through the practice of almsgiving, inspires us to follow [Christ's] example," the Pope added. "In his school, we can learn to make of our lives a total gift; imitating him, we are able to make ourselves available, not so much in giving a part of what we possess, but our very selves. Cannot the entire Gospel be summarized perhaps in the one commandment of love?
"The Lenten practice of almsgiving thus becomes a means to deepen our Christian vocation. In gratuitously offering himself, the Christian bears witness that it is love and not material richness that determines the laws of his existence. Love, then, gives almsgiving its value."
"For to me life is Christ, and death is gain." (Phil 1:21)
Pope's Lenten Message Focuses on Assisting Poor
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 29, 2008 (Zenit org). - Benedict XVI says that Lent is a perfect time for helping the poor, but urges Christians to give alms with the sole intention of seeking God's glory.
The Pope encouraged almsgiving in his Lenten message, dated Oct. 30 and released today by the Vatican. The theme of the message is "Christ Made Himself Poor for You."
The Holy Father said, "Lent […] stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters."
He recalled the specific Lenten tasks proposed by the Church -- prayer, fasting and almsgiving -- and dedicated the message to a reflection on giving alms, "a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods."
"The force of attraction to material riches and just how categorical our decision must be not to make of them an idol, Jesus confirms in a resolute way: 'You cannot serve God and mammon,'" the Pontiff noted. "Almsgiving helps us to overcome this constant temptation, teaching us to respond to our neighbor's needs and to share with others whatever we possess through divine goodness.
"This is the aim of the special collections in favor of the poor, which are promoted during Lent in many parts of the world. In this way, inward cleansing is accompanied by a gesture of ecclesial communion, mirroring what already took place in the early Church."
Stewardship
Benedict XVI noted how the Gospel teaches that we are only administrators, not owners, of material goods.
They are "means through which the Lord calls each one of us to act as a steward of his providence for our neighbor," he explained.
The Holy Father said the invitation to stewardship is even greater in predominantly Christian countries: "In those countries whose population is majority Christian, the call to share is even more urgent, since their responsibility toward the many who suffer poverty and abandonment is even greater. To come to their aid is a duty of justice even prior to being an act of charity."
Hidden love
The Pope clarified, however, that Gospel charity should be hidden.
"Everything, then, must be done for God's glory and not our own," he said. "This understanding, dear brothers and sisters, must accompany every gesture of help to our neighbor, avoiding that it becomes a means to make ourselves the center of attention. If, in accomplishing a good deed, we do not have as our goal God's glory and the real well-being of our brothers and sisters, looking rather for a return of personal interest or simply of applause, we place ourselves outside of the Gospel vision.
"In today's world of images, attentive vigilance is required, since this temptation is great. Almsgiving, according to the Gospel, is not mere philanthropy: Rather it is a concrete expression of charity, a theological virtue that demands interior conversion to love of God and neighbor, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who, dying on the cross, gave his entire self for us."
God's joy
Benedict XVI considered the benefits of almsgiving for the one who gives.
He said: "In inviting us to consider almsgiving with a more profound gaze that transcends the purely material dimension, Scripture teaches us that there is more joy in giving than in receiving. When we do things out of love, we express the truth of our being; indeed, we have been created not for ourselves but for God and our brothers and sisters.
"Every time when, for love of God, we share our goods with our neighbor in need, we discover that the fullness of life comes from love and all is returned to us as a blessing in the form of peace, inner satisfaction and joy. Our Father in heaven rewards our almsgiving with his joy."
"Lent, also through the practice of almsgiving, inspires us to follow [Christ's] example," the Pope added. "In his school, we can learn to make of our lives a total gift; imitating him, we are able to make ourselves available, not so much in giving a part of what we possess, but our very selves. Cannot the entire Gospel be summarized perhaps in the one commandment of love?
"The Lenten practice of almsgiving thus becomes a means to deepen our Christian vocation. In gratuitously offering himself, the Christian bears witness that it is love and not material richness that determines the laws of his existence. Love, then, gives almsgiving its value."
"For to me life is Christ, and death is gain." (Phil 1:21)
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