MikeLigalig.com

Quote from: wolfpack823 on June 02, 2010, 01:55:23 AM
The stress level of my current job is really very high, as a result, I am totally drained and exhausted at the end of the day. Running remove my stress, the breeze calms me down or if I not go to workouts. Swimming is nice alternative.

For emotional stress, I normally sit down in the computer and write.  

But when I feel that the clouds and earth sandwiched my sanity, I go to the range and shoot 100 rounds or more. Feel great after that...

What kind of gun do you use, Wolf?

I prefer the Magnum, whereas my younger sister likes the M16:

Two Filipinos Performs Sing "Knock You Down"


Knock You Down

Amazing.

By Rin on the Rox



Gwapa nila duha.


"Knock You Down" - Keri Hilson (COVER)

Quote from: windgate on June 01, 2010, 12:53:30 PM


basin ovary shape lang doc dili bisong... hehehe

hahaha, awww basin pood.

The Windmill Farms of Illocos Norte

Paoay Church

Full House

Eastern, Samar's Rocky Shores



Picturesque..

Welcome back to your hometown, Glacier.

Its hot outside, come, please stay a while, we need your cooling effect.

Quote from: Mike Ortega Ligalig on June 01, 2010, 08:44:45 PM
What are the things that you're afraid of in your office?

My handwritten notes. Sometimes i dont know how i can understand this "chicken scratch". ha ha ha

To The Flower,



I find it very exciting how you always ask how im doing. I have never met a person who was so sacrificial and outward before, before you think of yourself, you think of the other person. I guess I'm still getting used to it. I am so very lucky, darling, to have you, because a woman like you is not something that a man finds or meets every day. I love you immeasurably, honey.





Babyboo

Dear ____________________,



I just talked to you last night but i already miss you.
And if i may add, i really think its' unfair how you say some Hiligaynon words~ knowing that i do not understand it.
Namit itawn if you would teach me some more. Oh i wish Rosetta Stone had a 'Learning Ilonggo' Section.
I know you did great on your exams, babe. Just gotta keep your eyes on the goal and focus on it.

I believe in you.



BabyBoo,

Quote from: way_paki on June 01, 2010, 12:11:29 PM
what makes it even cuter is the thought nga mura gihapon sila ug manag-uyab. with matching apas-apas.. hehehe!

Mao lagi, inspiration pood ni sila duha. hahaha!

Yes, I do. Before, I was skeptical.

Yes, I LOVE it too, Mike.

A nice cold glass of water.

A different rendition of the Hillsongs United Song


Hillsong - Mighty to Save (Acoustic Cover)

I was born. That The Lord Most High willed it that I would be born and breathed into me...Life.

Glory be to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Nothing in my house scares me. Why be scared when Salvation is Offered in Christ Jesus.

The present fears of the body cannot compare to the perfect crown that is a citizenship in The Kingdom of the Most High.

If I'm really stressed, I will open a nice cold bottle of ice wine. Take a glass with me and sit in my living room at night and put on some of Sade's Songs. Jazz Therapy con vino.

If I am really really stressed, get on my knees and pray. He has never abandoned me.

Quote from: Mike Ortega Ligalig on June 01, 2010, 11:44:15 PM
If the jail destination is in the Philippines, I would not.

You starve in the jail because the prison wardens steal your food allowance.

Sa Muntinlupa, luboton daw ka sa mga manyakis.

I've seen some jails in the Philippines. 30 to 40 persons in one small room. Pait.

I've heard something like this, Mike, about the poor conditions of the jails in the Philippines.

Quote from: wolfpack823 on June 01, 2010, 09:32:30 AM
If God grant me the power to change the course of destiny, I will make a difference in the lives of children around the world. But the world is too big for me, too impractical to dream about. It is even too ambitious to dream of helping the children of the Philippines. My meager resources are just enough to take care the children in my own backyard.

Charity begins at home, but I wish I can do more.

There is no better satisfaction but to see the world through the eyes of a child. That is so compelling and compassionate.

Wolf, what a beautiful message. It really does put a 'local level' to Mahatma Gandhi's "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Yes, I would. Everything is about principle.

Quote from: Han Delaguna on June 01, 2010, 11:57:38 AM
Lorenzo,

It was a great experience on the food culture side, and interesting insights, albeit briefly, on how they conduct their election campaign. It was election time when we got there.

I bet you had a great time in Korea, Mr. Lagunay, I myself have always wanted to visit Korea. I trust you had fair share/sampling of their famous Kimchee and Kimbap.

That said, continue on doing a great job for Bohol Island Province. Pleasure to meet you here in Tubag Bohol Dot Com.

What is the difference between a hematologist and a urologist?

A hematologist pricks your finger.

A cardiac specialist died and at his funeral the coffin
was placed in front of a huge mock up of a heart made up of
flowers. When the pastor finished with the sermon and
eulogy, and after everyone said their good-byes, the heart
opened, the coffin rolled inside and the heart
closed. Just then one of the mourners burst into laughter.

The guy next to him asked: “Why are you laughing?”

“I was thinking about my own funeral” the man replied.

“What’s so funny about that?”

“I’m a gynecologist.”

The Questionable Admission

The Enraged One

12 Year Old Mind

hahahaha! indeed, the sane one. 

The One-Tracked Mind

The overly-academic..

The Enthusiast..

Puahahahahaha! 

The 12 Types of Medical Students...

puahahahahaaaaaa!!

(thanks to Chris for sending me this link)

puahahahaaa, tests kono...~

After Dr. Cox was irritated by an non compliant patient,

Quote from: janjan on June 01, 2010, 11:30:48 AM
i like shopping kinsa kaha di moangay shopping gud  tambal man na naho sa ahong depression hahahaha

Yes,  you are right, Jan. Ako pa, after exams..diritso sa Best Buy..kai mo tanaw ug mga new gadgets that i 'wish' i could buy hahaha!

Even if we don't buy anything, lami pood to see what is new; ma up-to-date pood atong awareness ba.

Ug maka kita pood ta unsa'y Sale.

The parish of the Santo Niño and the town of Valencia began as Barrio Panangatan of Dimiao, Bohol. Conjoined with adjacent barrios, it was constituted a town in 1869 and a parish in 1871 and named after a city on Spain’s southern coast.

Valencia Church building commenced during the term of Fray Mariano Cornago (1870-77) and was completed in 1882 by Fray Francisco Arraya, who laid the church’s wooden floor. The church walls were of tabique but were later replaced by cement.

Valencia Church is cruciform with a steep roof and a pyramidal crossing tower. Cut stone is used in parts of the church like the facade, however, concrete is found elsewhere. The real treasure of the church is its wooden floor of alternating dark (tindalo or balayong) and light (molave or tugas) wood planks.

At the transept crossing an eight pointed flower design is used for the floor while, a herringbone pattern is used elsewhere. The interior is unpainted, unlike most Bohol churches and has altars in the neoclassical idiom.

Valencia Church convento is located not beside the church as customary but across the street. This structure was renovated in the 19th century.

Other mission churches of architectural distinction include Dauis Church with its beautiful frescoes and Loboc Church with its three-story convent.

Another is the Panglao Church with its ornate antiques and ceiling murals; Loon Church, the most stunning church built by the Recollect Friars; and the 19th century Maribojoc Church.


Source: http://www.bohol-philippines.com/valencia-church.html

The Church of The Santo Nino of Valencia, Bohol.

Yes it does...~

One of the richest rice fields in the entire Province of Bohol.
Valencia's Own~

The ancient Panangatan River of Valencia.

History Note: Valencia was once called Panangatan...~

More reasons why I love Valencia:


1. The strong family-bond all Valencianons have for each other and our town. Even those of us who were raised abroad and/or born abroad are raised to respect and visit Valencia. Active kaayo ang mga Valencianon sa annual meetings and gatherings.

2. Devotion to the Blessed Santo Nino....~

Quote from: ABJayoma on May 30, 2010, 06:50:36 PM
OMG..!!

This is unbelievable..!!

If you look at the summary of posts that "Guindulman" has in this blog forum as of today, May 29, 2010 among the 40 plus towns of Bohol, there are about more than 1,200 posts, few hundreds less than Valencia.

Of course with bigger population and land areas of Ubay and Tagbilaran, they have the highest number of posts. And that is expected. 

But for Guindulman, this is a big surprise, though it has slight bigger population and land area compared to Jagna.

What does this mean?

1.) GUINDULMAN IS ALWAYS HOT.
It has lots of hot stuff that people would love to talk about. When interesting and intelligent Guindulmanons talk, other Boholanos all over listen. Hmm, that is quite interesting.

2.) It is either that there is a jealousy component that other non-Guindulmanons have regarding our people and would love to bring them and Guindulman town down or they are riding its popularity in order to learn how our town blossomed to be what it is right now.

3.) There might have Guindulmanons that have the money or perhaps millionaires that they cannot beat money-wise and they can't get over that. They tend to discredit them because that is the only way they can beat them, at least they tried. Not going to happen. Guess what, Gunidulmanons know how they do their businesses here and abroad and they are not going to tell you. Duh..!!   

4.) Guindulmanons are expressive and open to all sorts of good ideas and they work as a team toward a common goal. That is really a good thing, hmmm.

5.) Guindulmanons are educated and smart. They can bring lots of ideas to the table. It is a matter of time that the town will grow into another CITY in the future in this Southeastern part of Bohol.

6.) Guindulmanons are "beautiful" people genetically. The breeding of the Tamblot tribe that used to live close to Tabajan River and the Spaniards in the Sawang part of Poblacion was the best heritage our forefathers gave us. Tamblot's men were fighting against the Spaniards during Spanish colonization of the Philippines.

7.) Guindulmanons are known to be artists: they are known to be painters, choreographers, dancers, make-up artists, hairstylists, creative songwriters, singers, stage perfomers, and the like. And they like to decorate themselves, one way or another, to be noticed or objects of envy. 

8.) Guindulmanons are go-getters (perhaps aggressive sometimes). They know what they want and they go for it.

9.) They are trendsetters of "southeastern" Bohol. They are being looked into, looked at, criticized a lot, or being pulled down but they are resilient. They go up further higher if they are being pulled down.

Those who are Guindulmanon detractors, you can chase us or bring us down, but the entire town will shine.

SHINE GUINDULMAN SHINE.

There are lots of foristas in here that are NOT Guindulmanons. They are here to bring us down. They criticize us to the max. But we, Guindulmanons, know better and they will go and move forward and upward whether you like it or not..

The "doom" curse is nowhere to be found. It is no longer around..!!!     

Hello AB,


Welcome to Tubag Bohol Dot Com, I must say that I have never been to Guindulman, but am interested in visiting your town when I go back to visit this July 2010. I have some family friends who are from Jagna, and have mentioned that the people in your town are very welcoming and pleasant.

I am originally from Sawang, Valencia Bohol. So I have my loyalties in my beloved Valencia. Pero I do know that Guindulmanons are good people. We have family friends from Guindulman and are very good, faithful, God Fearing people.

I never knew about the so called Tamblot Tribe, but it has been interesting to read from your post and putting some awareness on Guindulman local history.

God Bless Guindulman! And all Guindulamanons!





A Son of Valencia.,

PS. kuyawa man ang goatie style ni manong uy. Pariho man ning porma sa mga Espanoles hahahaha!

Quote from: chicogon on June 01, 2010, 09:43:16 AM
Samot nag paresan ani Enz... makalimtan jud ang shopping ani, bwahahaha!!! 


Koja sa Caingget

puahahaha, mo shop na lang ko dinhi hahaha! Kujawa man ning gi prepare ni Manong. Naka dungog raba ko nga ang lechon dinha sa Caingget...one of da best kono sa Bohol.

Da! Mo testing ta, ha, Pader!

Tibiao, Antique Province



Majestic Mountains.

In The Province of Antique

The island of Marbuena, part of the municipality of Ajuy, in the Province of Ilo-Ilo.


Wonderful white beaches.

okay lang, okay to eat in moderation. Make sure to take your ace inhibitors or diuretics.



Okay mo kaon ani, moderation lang. Diba, taste is part of life's spices....

One of the oldest churches in the Philippines.

Miagao Church.

Is this too salty for you, Wolf?

Santa Barbara Golf Course.

The fish section!



wow..

Quote from: Mike Ortega Ligalig on May 29, 2010, 09:50:39 PM
A court in Switzerland has upheld the appeal of a man who was fined for rambling naked.

The court in Trogen ruled that the naked hiking did not amount to "indecent behaviour".

A prosecutor was quoted as saying the ruling should not be seen as giving blanket permission for people to walk naked in the area.

The case was the first since the eastern Swiss canton of Appenzell allowed naked hikers to be fined.

Appenzell has become a popular destination for those who like to hike without clothes, but many locals are unhappy about the trend.

The hiker in question was fined 100 Swiss francs (70 euros, £60) after eyewitnesses complained that he had been hiking in full view of a communal barbecuing area. - BBC


naked hiker

This looks refreshing!

Quote from: chicogon on June 01, 2010, 09:26:42 AM
OK Bam mag shopping ta una. Then adto tas Caingget mag kayak uban sa mga bwaize (mga iro ug mga itoy). Dili na wrong spelling ha... bwahahaha!!!





Nikalit ug ka OT!!! 

Father, they say they have the best Lechon in Caingget. Tinuod ni?

Countries I've visited thus far:


The United States
Canada
The Philippines
People's Republic of China
The Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
Puerto Rico (territory of the United States)
The Ukraine
Russian Federation

Quote from: cujo on June 01, 2010, 09:14:04 AM
I would like to think so.Every x"mass,I sent packages to the children in my barrio.Sometimes barbie dolls  for girls and toy cars for boys.And pencils.Then they have a party and we gave them food.Hot dogs and pansit.Sometimes we butcher a pig.
It touches my heart because my sister video the whole party and send it to me.We always invite the town priest for a mass before they started the party.If you have been the parish priest for the last 25 years in Bilar you know what family I am talking about...
I am not rich and I am not bragging but I would just like to share my blessings.  Everytime I see those little innocent eyes waving to the camera and says thank you it is HEAVEN.

Cujo, God bless your heart, and your giving spirit. There is nothing better than a person who loves to give and is willing to give.
Ang saying ani, 'God Loves a Happy Giver...."

Bless you! May He bless you abundantly.....~~

Quote from: chicogon on June 01, 2010, 08:36:47 AM
Come what may na lang, Bran... or shall I say "Come what July!" Bwahahaha... 

You're telling me, Pops! Make sure to bring suntan ha. pauahaha

Quote from: chicogon on June 01, 2010, 03:13:11 AM
Bran, check it out:  http://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/food-and-eating/siomai-and-siopao-sa-palma/new/#new

Thanks Father, man o man! na gutom ko.

Father, ang eppekt sa post nimo is making me hungry now. ngek!

Quote from: way_paki on May 31, 2010, 10:07:33 PM
awww, i'm so happy for both of you. correct!! filipinas are sometimes stubborn but very loving and caring.. wow, she's a Marian devotee. that's very good. i, myself is a Marian devotee, too. i know by heart how a Marian devotee prays. kudos to both of you..

Yes, i know what you mean...Marian devotees are very, very, devout in the faith. Strikta kaajo.
But that is what makes it beautiful. It is a rare, rare trait to find these days.

There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.


            - Logan Pearsall Smith

You cannot always have happiness, but you can always give happiness.



               - Anon.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.


                - Robert Brault

One problem with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us.

     - Michael Cibenko

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
   
    -Aristotle

Quote from: siomaisapalma on May 30, 2010, 12:11:13 PM
visit pls cntct 09195040327 or 09155048417 for any kind of painting u wanted...

I love your works. Amazing.

The Maranao Version of the Singkil.

Beautiful.


singkil mranaw dance

A traditional Muslim Dance of the Philippines.

Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company - Singkil

epic.


Tamasaburo å,東玉三郎 「ç"±ç¸ã®æœˆã€

The Indonesian Version of the Indian epic: Ramayana.

A beautiful version of the dance.

Indonesia, prior to becoming a muslim nation was known as : Sri Vijaya Empire (a Hindu sea-faring empire)

Ramayana Jatayu

One of the most beautiful classic dances i've ever seen.

This is the Ramayana, an Indian Epic.

The Thai version is called "Ramkien"

Ramakien 1 - Thai Classical Dance

^ puahahahahaaaaa!

One perfect example of Incorruption is that of St. Silvan the Martyr.

St. Silvan was a evangelist priest who went on to spread the faith in present day Croatia in the 4th century AD.
He was murdered martyred when unbelievers slit his throat. The priest died and was buried by Christian converts.
Where he is buried, the Cathedral of St. Blaise was erected. He has not decomposed.

Blessed St. Silvan has been dead for over 1700 years and has not seen corruption. The rosary that he was buried with has rusted away, but his body has not decomposed. You can still see the cut on his throat, which he endured for the Spreading of the Message of Christ.

Croatia, to this day, is a Catholic Nation.

St. Silvan Pray for us....





He has been incorrupt for almost 2 thousand years...

Note, that a body that is not embalmed will decompose and liquify within mere weeks. An embalmed body will prevent decomposition for 3-5 years. Then the natural processes will allow autolysis (when the body's internal juices and enzymes digest itself, leaving only bone)

St. Padre Pio and other incorrupt saints have not decomposed at all. He was not embalmed.

This is a miracle.

Quote from: Raquelproud boholana on April 25, 2008, 09:01:28 AM
Wow,thanks for posting this. "Padre Pio body was in good condition.Do this means he is incorruptible.If his boddy never corrupt it's not surprising.I read the book about Padre Pio.Very nice book to read.

Raquel, he is an incorruptable Saint.

He has not decomposed at all. And he was not embalmed.





Throughout his life had the sign of the stigmata.

Vanessa May



Ukrainian violinist like Vanessa May. Very specific voice.

Miguel Bose



Puede que

Shakira



Shakira .- Si tu no vuelves - feat. Miguel Bose

Que romantico!


Spanish Girl Julio Iglesias

Quote from: islander on June 01, 2010, 12:33:14 AM
this is enjoyable.  the crazy shopper, it seems to me, is the one who went straight to buy a pair of pants.

puahaha, of course, quite enjoyable. I rarely go to the mall, if i go i stay in the electronic outlets and dili mo 'tangtang' unless forced to.

Ang problema, mahal tanan sa store, and wala jamo ug kwarta.

tan aw lang tawn.

Quote from: way_paki on May 30, 2010, 03:21:01 PM
mao gyud. afterall, walang bayad ang mangarap..

as the saying goes, "Boys will love their toys.."

Great pictures, Mr. Lagunay. How was your stay in South Korea when you were there?

In regards to your work, I am so very happy to see the eco-friendly initiatives that are happening in Bohol Island Province. I believe that with this continued direction, Bohol Island will be a leading example for the rest of the Philippines how to conduct future environmental-economic programs. Additionally, it is also interesting to read that there is open discussion on the governmental level on the feasibility of the Bohol-Cebu Bridge.

Thank You for sharing your thoughts with us here in Tubag Bohol Dot Com.

The pictures are awesome, if I may add.


Best,
Bran Lorenzo Lucino

The Beauty of Madrid....

The Spanish Beauty..

Quote from: philippines on May 31, 2010, 08:33:31 PM
Why women love to shop even on things that they don't actually need?

Women, do, have great fashion sense. And they have the so called "Sale" Sensor naturally embedded in their heads.

Quote from: hubag bohol on May 31, 2010, 11:57:16 PM
He he, taas na kaayo kon estoryahon...

Sit down, sit a while...lets talk.

I'm all ears.

Quote from: way_paki on May 31, 2010, 11:52:25 PM
in  marriage, it's a no no gyud ang maghisgot ug separation. after sa away kay sweet na man pod. so, it's okay. dili lang i-dibdib taman. remember, it's only in married life that you sleep with the enemy.. hehehe! so, wa gihapoy lusot. gawas ug adto matug sa pikas kuarto.

lol, you made me smile. Maka hinumdum ko one time nga ning away-away si Mommy ug Daddy (it was for something small and trivial). Ning adto si Daddy sa kuarto sa ahong igsoon kai mo tulug kai mo trabaho man. After a couple of minutes, ning adto si Mommy sa room mo ingoon, "Daddy, balik na sa cuarto...."

Si Daddy pood ning balik. hahahaha!

Cute kaayo.

Smiling, that's always been a key. My Lolo smiles always; he's 83 and still looks pretty darn young.

Quote from: hubag bohol on May 31, 2010, 11:47:10 PM
Love will always be a challenge, just as life is. The difficulty lies in where to draw the line--what is bearable and what is too much. Because there are just too many X factors in love and marriage and love and life, one can hardly make a decision with a sense of certitude.   

Hubag, how did you deal with love? Interested lang ko...

You seem to be the silent romantic type. Feeling lang.

Quote from: hubag bohol on May 31, 2010, 07:27:22 PM

The Prince of Melancholy: Treatment Needed


www.blogspot.com

Hubs, that prince looks like a zebrog. Mixed with frog and zebra? haha the stripes.
I couldn't help but notice that frog is in love? or is the artist implying love?
Above his golden crown, there is a heart. Can you see it?

(perchance, i am reading into it too much {or in this case, looking into it...puahaha})

hahaha i like this one. Thanks Hubs.

Quote from: way_paki on May 31, 2010, 11:23:27 PM
mao pod nay nakapait kay ang uban, maghuwat pa ug magsakitanay before mo-decide nga mag separate lives. but for me, it's always a challenge to keep the love burning.

Mo saludar jod ko sa mga 'Veterans' of Marriage, hahaha! Especially those who have been married over 20+ years.

Quote from: hubag bohol on May 31, 2010, 10:47:07 PM
Bitaw. But sadly, in most cases a lot of hurting and hating had already been done by then.

Quote from: way_paki on May 31, 2010, 11:23:27 PM
mao pod nay nakapait kay ang uban, maghuwat pa ug magsakitanay before mo-decide nga mag separate lives. but for me, it's always a challenge to keep the love burning.

You two make a great point, I guess this is a warning for all of us who are still unmarried or those who have recently married that it is always important to compromise with one another and that selfishness has no place in the marriage life. If i can remember one thing my mother and father told me when asked about marriage and difficulties, (i am paraphrasing ha, because they said this in Bolanon): "Your father and I fight from time to time because it is the spice of life, but we love each other..."

So in that regard, fighting is natural (and a release) however it should not become destructive. Okay to disagree, etc, kai kinsa man dili mo disagree from time to time diba? he he

Some words should never be said, because when it is said, it cannot be taken back. In regards to marriage life, counseling should be seeked to salvage the marriage, but if it cannot be resolved, perhaps, it is for the best that the two part ways...in cases of severe marital woes.

The Doctor and the Sick



27 After this he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." 28 And he left everything, and rose and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

-Luke 5:27-32

~~

Meditation: People in Palestine were divided into roughly two groups: the orthodox Jews who rigidly kept the law and all its petty regulations, and the rest who didn't keep all the minute regulations. The orthodox treated the latter like second class citizens.  They scrupulously avoided their company, refused to do business with them, refused to give or receive anything from them, refused to intermarry, and avoided any form of entertainment with them, including table fellowship. Jesus' association with the latter, especially  with tax collectors and sinners, shocked the sensibilities of these orthodox Jews.  In calling Matthew to be one of his disciples, Jesus picked one of the unlikeliest of men -- a tax collector who by profession was despised by the Jewish people.  When the Pharisees challenged his unorthodox behavior in eating with public sinners, Jesus' defence was quite simple.  A doctor doesn't need to visit healthy people; instead he goes to those who are sick.  Jesus likewise sought out those in the greatest need. A true physician seeks healing of the whole person -- body, mind, and spirit.  Jesus came as the divine physician and good shepherd to care for his people and to restore them to wholeness of life. The orthodox were so preoccupied with their own practice of religion that they neglected to help the very people who needed the greatest care. Their religion was selfish because they didn't want to have anything to do with people not like themselves. Jesus stated his mission in unequivocal terms: I came  not to call the righteous, but to call sinners.  Ironically the orthodox were as needy as those they despised.  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love.  Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood.  Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit.  Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence.  Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 354-430)

The Sulking Children




31 "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, `We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.' 33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, `He has a demon.' 34 The Son of man has come eating and drinking; and you say, `Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children."

Luke 7: 31-35



~

Meditation: What do childrens' games have to do with the kingdom of God?  The children in Jesus' parable react with disappoint because they cannot induce anyone to join in their musical medley.  They complain that if they play their music at weddings, no one will dance or sing; and if they play at funerals, it is the same.  This refrain echoes the words of Ecclesiastes 3:4 -- there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. Jesus' message of the kingdom of God is a proclamation of good news and of great joy for those who will listen; but it is also a warning for those who refuse.  Why did the message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus meet with resistance and deaf ears?  It was out of jealously and spiritual blindness that the scribes and Pharisees attributed John the Baptist's austerities to the devil and they attributed Jesus' table fellowship as evidence for messianic pretense. They succeeded in frustrating God's plan for their lives because they had closed their hearts to the message of  John the Baptist and now to Jesus. What can make us spiritually dull and slow to hear God's voice?  Like the generation of Jesus' time, our age is marked by indifference and contempt, especially in regards to the things of heaven.  Indifference dulls our ears to God's voice and to the good news of the gospel.   Only the humble of heart can find joy in God's grace and favor. Do you know the joy of the gospel?

"Lord, open my ears to hear the good news of your kingdom and set my heart free to love and serve you joyfully.  May nothing keep me from following you wholeheartedly."