SOURCE OF ALL: MY LORD AND MY GOD

STORY OF A SOUL

"I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete." (John 15:11)

Have you found your joy in life? And have you shared that joy with others? These were two diagnostic questions of the Egyptians in the early days to determine if one was already qualified to enter Paradise. However, one must give it serious thought because even if joy may be synonymous with happiness, still - it cannot be used interchangeably.

What do we truly have? Joy or Happiness? We can be happy if we choose to be, not to have real joy is something else. Happiness would satisfy our senses, while joy would gratify our inner being. Happiness results from things that would happen to our life, while joy results to life making things happen.

Happiness buds from those around us, while joy springs from within us. It is the flowering of our soul's connectedness with our Creator; He is the Cause of our Joy - Jesus of our life.

"Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and the One whom You sent, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3)

Joy is to find Him, to know Him ... joy in the midst of suffering! Jesus wants us to enjoy the fullness of life! His love is everlasting and He does it with a joyful Heart. Yes, He found joy in loving us, in spite of of our repeated unfaithfulness. In spite of our endless grumblings, in spite of our limitless desires to be happy. He loves us so much that He simply loves us just the way we are.

Life is getting simpler every day but I truly hope that it is not because we no longer have a choice anymore; but because we have made a choice - to choose the best, to desire the best, to love the best.

Jesus is the Real Joy of our lives. We can only find Him if our hearts are grateful - because a joyful heart is a grateful heart. Enthroning Him in His rightful place in our lives is the least we can do.

Find Him and you'll find joy.
Love Him and you will be the joy to others!
In my pilgrimage to Medjugorge in 1988,
Jesus finally found me.
An empty soul in the pursuit of happiness.
And on July 31, 1996 that lost soul finally found His God.

It was the same day I was ordained and I finally found the Real Joy in my heart. On my 12th year as a priest and pastor, I vow to love Him with an undivided heart and I hope to share that joy with my flock and my community. May this grateful heart lead me to a great attitude.

Pray for me that my heart will always be in pursuit of the Real Joy (Jesus) every single moment of my life - as a son of God, as a vicar of Christ, as a faithful follower of Jesus, and as a joy shared by the Source of all - my Lord and my God!

FR. VIC APACIBLE
Parish Priest / Rector
NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
Makati City, Philippines

GOD BLESS YOU FR. VIC APACIBLE
ON YOUR 12TH SACERDOTAL ANNIVERSARY!

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? IN THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

It is funny, but every time people would ask me nowadays, "Father, where do you live?" I reply with a smile "In the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

My dear people of God, I truly pray that we all appreciate the goodness of God for having sheltered all of us in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

It is in the Heart of Jesus that we are able to experience the meeting point of heaven and earth. It is in the inner sanctum of His heart that we are able to reach the heavens and proclaim His Glory! The Heart, according to His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales is the place of decision. It is deeper than our psychic drives. It is the place of truth where we choose life or death. It is the place of our encounter and covenant.

On the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, may we intimately respond with love and faithfulness as we take care of our own hearts. All prayers come from the heart of every person. It is the heart that prays. If our heart is far from God, "the words of prayer are in vain." (CCC. 2562).

In all Churches, the Novena of the Sacred Heart is prayed devoutly. All people are drawn to Jesus, not simply to ask favors and petitions but most importantly, to feel His encompassing Love and Presence every day. In Him, we find comfort and only in Jesus, do we find a dwelling place. This is not only a tradition but a manifestation of faith in Jesus, Who is all knowing and all loving.

He is Jesus who unfailingly invites everyone:

Come to Me, all you labor and are burdened,
And I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me,
For I am meek and humble of heart;
And you will find rest for yourselves.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)

As we seek His Love and Mercy,
May our hearts be transformed to be like His.

However, loving demands a far greater task:

TO KNOW HIM
If we get to know Him more and more
we cannot help but TO FALL IN LOVE with Him
over and over again.
Knowing is loving
And loving is knowing God's will for all of us.

May we all pray:
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart
Make our hearts like unto thine.

Happy Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

Fr. Victor Y. Apacible
Parish Priest
NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
Makati City, Philippines

THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE: EASTER MESSAGE

Last Christmas, you heard me ask this question over and over again - "When was your best Christmas ever?" Many of us thought about this question and really searched our memory banks for the right answer - only to find out that at the end, the best Christmas ever will always be the present moment.

It may be awkward of me to write about Christmas during Lent - but isn't there another Christmas after all? Kung mayroon Pasko, mayroon din tayong Pasko ng Pagkabuhay! (If there's a Celebration for Christ's birthday, we also have a Celebration of Christ's rising into a new life!)

Easter Sunday is the summit of our long Lenten preparation - because on that day the Lord is risen and there is so much to celebrate.

We have spent many, many days preparing -
Not only for the dying, but for the rising to life;
Not only for the pain, but for the gain,
Not only for Good Friday but for Easter Sunday,
Not only for the Passion but for the Resurrection.

Our vision of the fullness of life is here and now. We have been liberated by no other than Jesus Himself - and because of His Resurrection, we can celebrate life in its fullest. He has liberated us from sin, Satan, and even guilt. By His Cross and Resurrection, we have been set free and now fully enjoy each day as sons and daughters of God, making each day the best days of our lives ever!

What no one ever saw of heard,
What no one ever thought could happen,
Is the very thing God prepared for those who love God.

1 Corinthians 2:9

Resurrection is God at work. It is not merely an event that occurred but a powerful salvific act of God that manifests in our lives every single day. The act of God's love did not end in the death of His Son. He has risen and is truly alive.

May we not remain buried in the Good Friday of our lives,but rather be able to rise again. We have our own crucifixion and dying but Jesus can restore us to life. His followers went through a difficult passing over - from their sorrow and pain as they witnessed His death - but were amazingly transformed as the experienced the radiant Jesus Who is alive with a new vision and power. May we recognize His Face in our daily passing over - from our suffering to freedom and our own brokenness to a new life.

Let us celebrate the life of Jesus: the joy He brings to us and the joy we can offer to others. The joy that lasts ... the joy that gives life as we proclaim the power of Jesus in our words and works as how Mother Teresa puts it:

"A person filled with joy preaches without preaching!
May we be the joy of others as we radiate the
Source of Joy: Jesus Himself!"

Let us enjoy and celebrate the best day of our life in Jesus! Alleluia!


FR. VICTOR Y. APACIBLE
Rector / Parish Priest
NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
Makati City, Philippines