MercyGrass

The first time I googled about John Paul II’s teaching on Theology of the Body, my first reaction was, “ooops, this will take a hundred years for me to read and truly understand.”   So, as excited to learn quickly about it (and of course not fail to read the real documents), I started to look for something simplier, from Christopher West’s to Jason Evert’s to other TOB writers.  Then someone recommended the book “Free Love, True Love” by this one Filipino priest, Fr. Joel Jason.

The book was engaging, simple and easy to understand.  It did actually made me realize God’s amazing power of Real Love.  True Love.  From simple explanations to variety of examples (and even jokes), you get to learn and love JPII’s teaching by heart.  And somehow, you get to ask, will the author write another book?

Fr. Joel also writes and shares his Sunday homilies on his facebook page.  Practical homilies that can lead you to reflect about life and the simple things that gives you joy.  So, I was kinda grateful when he agreed to take time from his busy schedules and participate in my Conversations series.

Sky:  What makes you feel like a kid?

FJJ:  I feel like a kid when I’m with young people. In fact, I don’t feel my age since I am mostly with the young people I teach and form and journey with in the seminary.

Sky:  What’s the happiest place on earth?

FJJ:  Hmmm.  The happiest place on earth is where my friends and loved ones surround me.

Sky:  What are your simple joys?

FJJ:   Simple joys, reading a good engaging book, a good cup of coffee, a hot plate of pasta and freshly baked pizza, a game of basketball or tennis, jamming with friends on the guitar and most of all, being still before Jesus in the tabernacle.

My father died when I was in my first year in the seminary. My father didn’t have lot to leave behind when he passed on to eternal life. But what he gave me I treasure. I still use it now as a priest. When I entered the seminary at the age of 16, my father gave me his Bible. I knew it was his Bible because it was “dirty” – the pages were worn out, it had highlights, it had marks on it and even some scribbled little notes. You can tell he read it. You can tell he prayed with it. Jesus was not only ink for him. Jesus was a voice speaking to him in the pages of his Scriptures. – Fr. Joel Jason (on his homily on Good Shepherd Sunday)

 

 

Abi is one of the most inspiring missionary I know.  She went on mission to Nepal and Bangladesh for a year, all by herself, with God as her mission partner.  My first encounter with Abi is when she arrived in the Philippines for her missionary training, with a teddy bear in hand.  Yes, again, with a teddy bear in hand.  Petite, young, single and with a stuffed toy, this girl became one of my closest friend who taught me to appreciate all those simple things in life.

And now, after a year on mission, and back in the US, she has found her life partner and is getting married.  I know God has laid out this plan for her even before she saw earth.  God has made everything beautiful for her and for her husband to be.

I love their Save-the-Date cards.

So, I get to ask her a few questions

Sky:  What are your simple joys?

Abi:  coffee dates, good conversations, eating comfort food, reading a good book, having lunch at a park on a beautiful day, taking an awesome picture, long walks on the beach during sunset and looking at the stars pag gabi na and yung mga moments na nararamdaman ko na mahal ako ng Diyos (during evenings and those moments that i’ve felt God’s love the most?.

Sky:  What’s the first thing you do every morning?

Abi:   i turn off my alarm which has a reminder: “God loves you! Go to church!” and this makes me smile.

Sky:  Where do you most feel at home?

Abi:   of course at my house! hahaha well if not literally, when i’m with my friends and family and especially when i visit the Blessed Sacrament.

While she was on mission in Nepal

One who grew up having almost everything to one who decided to leave her life in the US, follow God’s strong call, go on mission to South Asia, and now getting married, that’s Abi.