Hi, !
A friend of mine once remarked, that on the occasion of one’s birthday, people should be greeting the celebrant’s mother instead, since on that day, it is literally her day of giving birth!
As of writing, I just had a quarantine birthday. By now, I think all of us have experienced a “quarantine birthday” of some sort.
How was yours? Naalala mo pa ba?
Alam mo, nakakatuwa kasi only God knew that I’ll be having the best birthday during a pandemic!
I wasn’t expecting to be showered with so much attention, love, and care from the closest people in my life.
What have I done to deserve all that? Nothing.
And I’m sure you’ve felt just like that- undeserving- at some point, for all the good things and people in your life.
But let me tell you now, you definitely deserve all that love, attention, affection, and so much more! We all do!
Don’t feel embarrassed for feeling #blessed #loved #admired #caredfor by everyone especially on your birthday.
I know, and I feel, most of the time, it’s harder to receive love than to give it.
But what does it mean to be gifted to give?
As a Social Studies teacher, I had the opportunity to include an outreach component to one of our assessments in class.
My students made and sold their own products for the benefit of the Aeta community in Zambales to raise money for their community.
At the end of the school year, they were overjoyed with the developments and grateful for the chance to help during this pandemic.
Though they didn’t gain anything materially from this project, they graduated with a greater sense of mission, gratitude, self-knowledge, and virtues.
They themselves are gifted with their talents to share with others and they lived it.
I invite you to reflect on the theme of the 500 years of Christianity in our country "Gifted to Give."
We have received the gift of Faith and we can be sure to pass this treasure on to the next generations through the witness of our life.
I end with Pope Francis’ message for us on the anniversary of this great occasion:
"During this jubilee year, let the words of Jesus guide you: “Without cost you received; without cost you are to give” (Mt 10:8).
These words are an invitation to thank God for all those who handed on the faith to you.
I myself can testify that you know how to hand on the faith; it is something you do very well, whether in your own country or abroad.
Be grateful for the gift of faith.
Thank God for the people who gave you the faith and for all those to whom you will pass it on in turn.
Renew your enthusiasm for evangelization.
Reach out to others and bring them the hope and joy of the Gospel."
All the best,
Cathy
Beyond Kilig Team
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