Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts

Friday, February 14, 2020

Heart's Desire and The Purple Sky


A purple sky and the purple rain. That signifies our roller coaster of emotions. When we experience the 'purple sky,' we are the happiest and on a cloud nine. And when we are bluer than blue, we feel the 'purple rain' pouring in.

That's life! We feel the roller coaster of emotions that brings out our best. The purple sky can be so rare that it makes it mystical and naturally beautiful. And that's the color that I have found. The color symbolizes my love.

Not long ago, I discovered some spirituality acquired from a Master of Life and revered Spiritual teacher who unifies Eastern wisdom and Western practicality. That was a higher level of Spiritual love for service to humanity through charity work.



Not known to many that the purple color symbolizes spiritual awakening. It calms the mind, enhances our creativity, and uplifts our spirit. And when we achieve such a level of enlightenment, the spiritual color reveals to us in unexpected places and moments.

As we live our purpose, we continue to experience giving and receiving love. It's the most essential spiritual gift and the most crucial emotion to carry within.

As we celebrate Valentine's day, we are experiencing the color of love that is revealed to us. It may be the fierce energy of red to some, the calming effect of blue to others, or a combination of red and blue, and that's purple - - a highly significant spiritual color.




Love will always be more than and beyond ourselves. When we have found love, it gives the Purple color, a romantic, lovely, and royalty color in our life that our hearts desire.

© 2020 Del Cusay




Sunday, February 9, 2020

The Sacred Heart on a Hilltop


Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, is so huge and tall; a famous symbol of faith among Christians in that part of the world and is also known to most Christians worldwide as a pilgrimage destination worth visiting.

That's a thousand miles away from the Philippines, my home country and home to millions of the Catholic faithful. I may not be able to visit Brazil and see the famous statue, but in my hometown, we have a similar figure known as the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The uphill road to the summit may be rough, but it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Roxas City in the Western Visayas region. On the top of the mountain is the 132 ft statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, constructed at the beginning of the decade in 2010 and finished in 2015.


Since then, the statue visible on the lowland highway of the newly constructed business district has become a famous pilgrimage site and is considered the tallest statue of Christ in the Philippines.

I haven't been to the summit to see the statue for quite a long time since it was opened to the public, and we just glimpse it from afar whenever we pass by the vicinity. But in my heart, I would love to see it closer and appreciate the holiness of the place on top of the mountain.

At last! I was able to see it at the beginning of the decade 2020 in January, and for the second time, I was able to bring my parents back to the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue in February. That was a soulful journey on the summit and the best way to celebrate the month of love.

The physical structure of the statue symbolizes our most profound faith in the Christ who watches over us and protects us. When we feel abandoned and uncared for, one powerful Divine is a being who embraces and loves us for who we are.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of the holiness of our hearts no matter how unlawful and wicked we may have become. We are born to be good in nature, and our own sacred heart is our guide to touch the lives of others as inspired by the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the way, the truth, and the life. 

© 2020 Del Cusay

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Sunday, February 2, 2020

The Mighty and The Candle in The Wind


So many untoward events for January 2020! From natural disasters to pandemic health issues, we have experienced a crisis, a threat to our health and well-being. This, however, continues and is within our control.

The start of the year may not be good, but it gives us tough lessons to ponder about our strengths and weaknesses  our vulnerabilities as human beings.

We can not be sure about what is next, but one thing that can help us survive is faith in things beyond our control. That a higher and Supreme being is in charge.

We feel mighty at times, feeling powerful. However, there are moments when we are crushed in spirit.

When we are weak and feeling helpless and powerless, our Divine master is there to rescue us. And when the road is rough and the surrounding is dark, we seek the Divine light.



When we feel blessed and grateful, we always see the guiding light. And so, in bad times and good times, we need the Divine light. We never stop to follow and seeking the truth and life.

Today, the 2nd of February is the Feast day of Nuestra Seรฑora de La Candelaria, or the Our Lady of the Candles. Known as the Patroness of the entire Western Visayas, Philippines.

The Holy image canonically crowned in 1981 by now St. John Paul II brought miracles, healings, and blessings to the people in the Region and the entire country when flocks of the faithful from every place visit the blessed Marian image and pray to God for Her intercession.


Back in 2016, when I lived and worked in Iloilo, I always felt the serenity of the National Shrine of the Our Lady of Candles. I had celebrated Sunday masses and the Holy week, which was brought to light when I was a Candle in the wind and weak and vulnerable.

The devotion started in recent years and in the late 90s when our dear mother brought us to celebrate the feast day mass. And years after knowing its miracles, I visit to offer a prayer and thanksgiving. That is faith. To continue the devotion for years and for a lifetime.

The Our Lady of the Candles is just one of the many Marian titles given to the Mother of Christ. We always pray for her intercession for all our wishes and whatever our heart desires.


And for the happenings in the world today, we go beyond our personal intentions and petitions. We pray for our people, our country, and the world. That healing will take place, and peace will reign in the world and our hearts forever. 

© 2020 Del Cusay


Sunday, December 1, 2019

What I Love About December


What excites you about Christmas? Is it about family gatherings? Endless year-end parties? Gifts? Or is it about the highly anticipated coming of the New Year?

At some point, we have all experienced the Christmas mania that December brings. This is the time to mark on a calendar the most important event of sharing good times with the most important people. 

Some may have been planning themed Christmas parties, while others are looking forward to a holiday shopping spree; for gift-giving or buying a gift for oneself.

That's a fun-filled activity for the commercial side of the festivity. Perhaps the most expensive season, but one of the most memorable for whatever reason. 


This Soulful Sunday, the 1st of December, is about welcoming a merry and joyous season of love and peace. A heartfelt season to hug and kiss. 

I will spend the Holiday season in my hometown with my family. This is the best place to contemplate the year that was or year-end, breathing out of what is unwanted and what is to be renewed. 


This Soulful Sunday, the 1st day of December, brings calm wind and drizzle, setting the mood for the coming days before Christmas. The wind blows gently with a natural melody; the trees are swaying; the birds are chirping; the people are singing Christmas in our hearts is coming. 

© 2019 Del Cusay

Sunday, November 10, 2019

41st Year of Devotion to the Miraculous Medal


For us Christians, we have all prayed for the intercession of the Blessed Mary. We pray the "Hail Mary" to honor the Mother of Christ. Our prayers are heard. We got healed. We are blessed, and we live by the promises of Mary.

For our family, we celebrate the 41st year of this annual devotion. It started in November of 1978 as initiated by my parents in their early years of marriage.
Since then, their life has been blessed for the intentions that are granted through Mother Mary.

Growing up in the '80s, I witnessed our yearly devotion to the Miraculous Medal. Our relatives, mostly the elderly, would lead the Novena and the singing of praises. We have been touched by the songs and Hyhm. Our prayers became stronger and heard as we prayed together.

That is the power of prayers and intentions. Our heart's desires are granted if we firmly believe God is in us and hears us.

Ask - Believe -Receive, this philosophy is what I have believed in for years, and this has been the foundation of our call for the Miraculous Medal. We ask for our intentions. It will be granted. Then we receive miracles, healings, and blessings.

Our devotion to the Miraculous Medal will be celebrated through the years to come and witnessed by the next generations of the family. We continue to pray to the blessed Mary, and may we pass on this devotion to the young ones and the entire family.


© 2019 Del Cusay



Sunday, October 6, 2019

Soulful Conversation: Spiritual Guidance from a Priest


Sometimes we meet people by chance, then become friends or acquaintances. Often, we have met someone so special to bring enlightenment and guide our way our spiritual path.

With that particular person, I am referring to a Priest who is our Religious leader with a higher level of holiness. Someone who guides us on our moral actions and the one we seek blessings as God's chosen disciple.

That was a sunny day at the beachfront restaurant a few weeks ago, September 17, when I had a pleasant conversation with our Parish Priest of   Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Lomboy,  Rev. Father Everett Jeffrey Estrella. He has served the Parish since July 2018 and will continue his Religious mission for the next few years. A great mission and service to the Parish and the faithful community. 


I was with my parents and shared a meal with Fr. Estrella. It was lunch at our favorite restaurant overlooking the horizon, where the blue sky meets the sea. The gentle waves and the sea breeze were relaxing, and the conversation had a deeper meaning. 

I had some aha moments before, but this time it came from our Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Estrella. And whenever I have an aha moment, I cherish it and live through its meaning and significance. 

What was that conversation about? It's about present and future living. It's about following our dreams and desires and making them come true. What struck me most was when he said that sometimes we don't get what we want in life because we have too much belief in our human capacity and don't back it up with Divine intervention through our most profound faith and prayer. 

Yes, we pray, but how come some of our wishes are not granted. It may be in the process. It may just be a delayed answer, or our intention may not be the best for us and not by God's will.


He then revealed that when other people so dear to us are praying for us, God may hear it out loud. God always hears our heart's desires and intentions. For instance, we may be the recipient of the good deeds of our parents. That's like spiritual merit. When our parents pray for us, God truly listens. Our parents' deepest love always saves us.

From that moment, I have considered my parents' sacrifices and everything I have achieved because I believe they have prayed for me.

That was a soulful conversation. The message was simple but challenging: keep doing good things, and good things will come to you. We plant seeds of goodness, nurture them and cultivate them until we reap a fruitful reward.

Our community is blessed to have Rev. Fr. Everett Jeffrey Estrella. He touches the lives of the faithful and deserves the utmost reverence. He is a Divine gift to us, and we are most grateful for his love and compassion for everyone. He may leave the Parish in a few years, but his excellent service and good memories remain in our hearts forever.

© 2019 Del Cusay



Sunday, September 8, 2019

Heart's Desire: An Answered Prayer


If there is a tool that hears and grants our dreams and wishes, that would be the power of prayer to the Almighty. God hears... God listens... God answers our heart's desires.

That spiritual tool is in the hearts of people who flock together in a Holy place for prayer, celebrate a mass, or offer a thanksgiving. This is an act of affirmation of one's faith in the Divine, no matter their religious affiliations.

In the Philippines, people sincerely believe in the powerful intercession of the Divine Mother, Mama Mary, the Mother of Christ.

At school, in our religious studies, and in catechism, we were taught about the Holiness of Mama Mary for her obedience to God's revelation and plan. That virtue made her the most incredible Mother we adore.

In the powerful intercession of the Blessed Mary, we visit the National Shrine of Mother of Perpetual Help, attracting thousands of Devotees and faithful due to so many answered prayers and petitions. It is our deeper faith that our prayers are granted, just like our dear Mother who gives her child's wishes.


In our hometown, where people and families flock in a peaceful sanctuary in her honor, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Lomboy has blessed many people who call her name in her intercession.

As we celebrate Mama Mary's birthday, we give her thanks and praises for all the answered prayers to God. Blessed Mother of God never fails a child who kneels and prays. Her Divinity inspires and blesses our heart's intentions and desires.


At this moment, I am blessed with another answered prayer. I am forever grateful for the Divine Mother whom I praise and adore. Our love for our own dear Mother is a manifestation of our love for the Divine Mother, our Mama Mary, who loves us and prays for us. 

© 2019 Del Cusay



Sunday, August 18, 2019

Road to Summit: Unloading Our Emotional Baggages


There are times when we feel stuck at some point in our lives. There's heaviness in our hearts causing us to slow down or to quit, to end the game and breathe out the pain.

That heaviness on our being may result from past traumas, anxieties, guilt, and toxicities from people and the environment. We call it "emotional baggage," which is unwanted and causes us to pay the price.

Like in our travels, we never wanted to pay for excess baggage at the airport counter, which costs us more. It gives us inconvenience and stress and a bad experience. I remember sometime in 2014 when I was at Kathmandu Airport in Nepal going back to New Delhi in India, when the airport counter lady charged me more for my excess baggage. Without much cash in my wallet, I left to withdraw from the ATM for a while. From that moment, I was uneasy, but luckily I could get my money to pay for the price of my excess baggage, and I felt so bad.

From that horrible experience, I can relate it to the present reality of carrying for more and paying the price. Our lower emotions like anger, jealousy, pride, and rage take away the peace in our hearts. That heaviness from the inside prevents us from moving fast forward since we are distracted by so many rumbling thoughts and the roller coaster of emotions.


One of the reasons we are stuck is because of the attachments we have to someone or something from somewhere. Or it could be the other way around when someone is so attached to us that we suddenly become mentally connected.

When this excess emotional baggage affects our well-being, there's a way to escape before we become totally stuck. When we recall in detail what went wrong, we start to be directed by a compass, the right direction towards the desired destination.

When we decide to escape from the trouble, we start to experience emotional freedom as we travel on the road to Summit. From there, we take a deep breath, relive the present moment, and capture what is pleasant and peaceful. Suddenly without us knowing, we unload the heaviness of emotions that caused us pain and sorrow. That is good for our mental health and overall well-being. 

At the Summit, we breathe out what is unwanted, which doesn't contribute much value to our being. And then, when we feel the lightness, we are ready to take on the next adventure on our road to forever. We are prepared to love again, for this is the right thing to do, and we have made the right choice. To live and laugh again, to love and be whole again.

© 2019 Del Cusay



Monday, August 12, 2019

Eid'l Adha: Its Interfaith Significance

This day marks the Islamic celebration of the 'Festival of Sacrifice' known as Eid-al Adha. This festival was unknown to me for many years despite being declared a holiday, and I hadn't understood much about its religious significance until recently when I made an Islamic and cultural immersion at the Manila Golden Mosque in celebration of the end of Ramadan or the  Eid'l Fitr: A Moment of Peace.

Community Immersion at Manila Golden Mosque during the celebration of Eid'l Fitr on June 5, 2019

Eid'l Adha is when Muslims from around the world commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham to sacrifice his son. What's interesting about this festival is the similarity of the same story in Christianity found in the book of Genesis in the old testament.


In the Quran, God appeared to Abraham and was told to make a sacrifice for his son, Ishmael. In the Bible, the son of Abraham to be sacrificed was Isaac. Then, just before Abraham ended his son's life, a lamb was replaced by God instead of his son. That was a test of faith given by God to Abraham, and he passed it faithfully.

In a deeper sense and in today's significance, that son of Abraham may not be just a literal person but would be something in us that is valuable, a part of us that we are most attached to. It could be an attachment to someone, a worldly possession, or obsolete thoughts.

These attachments take away our precious time with God due to divided attention. When God tested Abraham to sacrifice his son, it was like God's telling Abraham to pay attention to Him and obey His will so that Abraham could follow wholeheartedly when his attention was undivided and to God alone.

In our reality today, God may be talking to and commanding us on what to do, but we choose to ignore Him or simply don't focus on listening to Him. We are preoccupied with daily activities, work, or building relationships with our family and the community. Still, we only give him a little time and attention due to many physical, mental, and emotional distractions.

It's also a reality that God may take away something valuable or someone we love and that we have nothing to oppose but to accept it wholeheartedly because that is His will, which is the Divine plan. Then we realize that God is in total control of everything, even the breath we take and even our last breath on earth. 

Eid'l Adha is not just significant among our Muslim brothers and sisters because all of us, regardless of faith, may have learned about the sacrifices that we have to make.

Today, we may be sacrificing to save us and uplift our souls. We may offer a relationship with someone, a friend, or a group. This is where we let go of things that do not give much value to our being but just give us pain and sorrow.

When we let go of old habits and obsolete beliefs, we then take on a fresh idea, accept a new relationship, and nurture what is ideal for God's glory and Divine love. That's an interfaith significance we all can learn from our Muslim brothers and sisters.

We do not hate but cultivate more profound understanding, acceptance, and belonging. We do not fear, but we face reality stronger and more steadily. We do not ignore but co-celebrate with humility and love to our Humanity. We live to co-exist and can live harmoniously, peacefully, and happily.

© 2019 Del Cusay




Sunday, August 11, 2019

Year of The Youth 2019: The Pilgrim Youth Cross

The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Lomboy, Linambasan, Capiz, has been home to a strong community of Youth Ministry since the time of Reverend Father John Denosta, the first-ever designated Parish Priest. It is even more substantial today as the Religious Community grows under the Parish Head, Reverend Father Jeffrey Estrella, and co-Parish Priest, Reverend Father Chris Seรฑeres.

Since the early years of the Mission Station, before it was elevated to a Parish status, I have witnessed the Religious presence and dedication of the youth in their Church service. The youth choir's melodious and angelic voices touch the people's souls during the regular Sunday mass and special occasions like Christmas. We see a growing Parish Youth Ministry to be the bearer of light and hope not only today but in the years to come until they fully bloom in their Community and Religious service.



In celebration of the Year of the Youth this 2019, The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish welcomed the Pilgrim Youth Cross on August 3, 2019, facilitated by the leaders and members of the OPH Parish Youth Ministry. 

The Youth Cross was transferred by the Youth Ministry of San Vicente Ferrer Parish to be venerated at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish for about a week. The Youth Cross was brought to the neighboring barangay of Lucero and welcomed by the Lucero National High School youth. It was then brought to Macario Bermejo National High School in Jaena Norte, where hundreds of youth have embraced the religious symbol of the Catholic faith.


At the end of a week-long Pilgrim Youth Cross, it was time to pass on to the next Parish in the nearby town of Tapaz. On August 10, the Youth Cross and the Youth Ministry members headed to San Nicolas De Myra Parish and were welcomed by their Youth Ministry.


The National Youth Cross was specially made for the Philippine Catholic Youth Ministry and is being circulated in different Parishes nationwide. It was inspired by the founder St. John Paul ll since it was introduced in 1985 and presented during the celebrations of World Youth Day, where thousands and even Millions of Youth Pilgrims came to celebrate and profess their faith. 

2019 has been a memorable journey for the Pilgrim Youth Cross as it reached the Parish of  Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. May the Youth Cross bring them closer to Christ as it reminds them of the personal cross that they carry within.

When darkness invades the souls of the young ones, the cross symbolizes hope and faith that no matter how challenging life is, they will come to defeat the darkness and unleash the light from within.

© 2019 Del Cusay




Thursday, June 27, 2019

The Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Our Love and Devotion


In July 2012, a Catholic Mission Station named after a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was founded in a peaceful Sitio of Lomboy in Barangay Linambasan, Jamindan, Capiz, upon the order of the Archdiocese of Capiz through Reverend Father Rowelyn Langurayan who was the outgoing Parish Priest of San Sebastian Parish during that time. 

Reverend Father John Denosta was the first-ever Priest assigned to celebrate masses and look after the faithful's spiritual needs.

Father Denosta served for 6 years until July 2018. He is well-loved by the people due to his sense of community and Spiritual leadership. For about 6 years, he built and transformed the Mission Station into a beautiful  Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish on June 27, 2018. Just a few days before his service ended, he witnessed and celebrated his success with the Parishioners, devotees, and hundreds of Catholic Faithful.

Today, June 27, 2019, on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we have the successor of Father Denosta in the name of Reverend Father Jeffrey Estrella. For a year, he has been serving the faith community of Barangay Linambasan and people from different barangays of the town of Jamindan.

On this feast day, our Archbishop of Capiz, Most Reverend Jose Advincula, officiated the mass with our Parish Priest, Father Estrella, and other Parish Priest.


Reverend Father Krys Seรฑeres, the co-Parish Priest, commissioned a large size iconic portrait of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help through the contributions of the faithful. The icon is placed on the left side of the front wall facing the altar and was blessed by Most Reverend Father Advincula on this feast day. 

The Redemptorist Fathers made the icon famous worldwide, and it has attracted flocks of devotees due to her known miracles of healing and granted special intentions.

I am a living testimony of the miracles of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and I am grateful for my blessings. Wherever I visit a church in her name, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Cubao and the National Shrine of our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran would never fail to grant my petitions.

We give the Mother of God the highest honor in her blessed Title, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help. 
Today and in the years to come, the Parish will continue to accommodate and serve the ever-growing faithful community beyond our generation. 

We will preserve this spiritual sanctuary so the next generations can witness its glory and miraculous powers to live in their hearts forever.

© 2019 Del Cusay

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Sunday, May 5, 2019

Living in Faith: The Greatest CEO Alive

"Our greatest CEO doesn't fire people, but He is forgiving. He doesn't hate and curse, but He is kind and loving. He is the way, the truth, and the life. And so when life seems so dark, let us remember that there is one greatest CEO alive who is there for the rescue. For His love is greater, for He is a true Master."


In our world today, more people are becoming obsessed and are a fan of grandiose titles just as People magazine's "The sexiest man/woman alive" or Time magazine's "Most Influential People in the world" and Forbes magazine's "World's Most Powerful CEO" which are quite famous and have huge followers worldwide.

This obsession with great titles could mean more extraordinary power, fame, prestige, and authority. It also evokes superiority that sets boundaries in social class and standing, being superior and powerful versus ordinary and less privileged people.

Today, we may idolize someone based on merits that make him superior in many aspects. For instance, one may look up to his father for being a good provider and leader for the family. Others may have great admiration and support for their community or religious leaders. The working people may have the most respect for their CEO or the Chief Executive Officer.

I have worked with several CEOs in my corporate life. They are among the best and the brightest in their industries. They have gained my respect and admiration even though they may have their flaws and different personalities and values that make them imperfect.


Today, I am working on following with the greatest power, love, and light. I am working for the best and the brightest CEO of my life. His personality is beyond excellence. He is a Supreme power, a Divinity.

This ever-powerful CEO has died and risen again. He is our Lord, our savior. He is Jesus Christ. He is the Greatest CEO alive. My God, our God.

Jesus works as the greatest CEO who directs us and guides us to the right path. He empowers, uplifts, and inspires us with his great deeds and miracles.

Jesus, our God, is working on us, our family and small community, our country, and the world. It is only fitting that we must also work with Him and follow Him. Jesus is not dead, but He lives in us. His presence is in our hearts, in our minds, and in our souls.

Our greatest CEO doesn't fire people, but He is forgiving. He doesn't hate and curse, but He is kind and loving. He is the way, the truth, and the life. And so when life seems so dark, let us remember that there is one greatest CEO alive who is there for the rescue. For His love is more significant, for He is our true Master.

© 2018 Del Cusay


Wednesday, May 1, 2019

The Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Our Love and Devotion


In times of difficult moments, we always seek Divine help, a spiritual intervention that will give us answers to our specific needs. We have our prayers, our personal petitions from God. We come to the house of God, His church, with humility and faith to kneel and offer a prayer.

Today, I chose to travel to a particular place of the Mother of God. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, also known as Baclaran church. I have visited the Shrine many times since mid-2000, just the beginning of the new millennium. 

What makes our devotion special is when our Mother took us to the Shrine to pray the novena and celebrate the mass. Later I realized that my Mother has a great devotion and faith in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and with the intervention of Mama Mary, a mission station was built in our hometown in Jamindan, Capiz, and was named after the same title as Mary - - Our Lady of Perpetual Help. 

Located in Barangay Linambasan, the mission station of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was elevated to a Parish in the year 2018 with Reverent Father John Denosta as the first-ever priest assigned a few months before Reverent Father Jeffrey Estrella took over to continue the religious service to the people. 

Whenever I am in our hometown for a vacation, I visit this peaceful sanctuary to pray for the intervention of Mama Mary. My devotion started because it was our own Mother who led and guided us to come to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. My mother has testimonies of the blessings and miracles of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and she would want us to devote ourselves to Mama Mary as our Divine love and light. 

Since then, I have experienced peace and serenity and answered prayers which I consider a miracle because it was responded to at the right time when I almost felt hopeless and desperate. 


Today, the first day of May 2019, was a blissful experience with thousands of devotees who recited the novena and celebrated the mass. There is a Divine presence that keeps us feeling embraced and comforted. The solemnity of the eucharist makes us feel strongly connected, and our communication feels like being heard. 

During the silent moment, our hearts could feel that Mama Mary, the Mother of Christ, is there for us like our mother, who protects and comforts us. 

Today, my petition is for our good health and healing, that God will protect us from sickness and illnesses and heal our physical, mental, and emotional discomforts. And my greatest desire is to have found the one who will complete me and live a better life together.

Today, I am with the Divine and have prayed for whatever my heart desires. I am forever grateful to Mama Mary, and may she always hear and intercede on our prayers to God, for our love and devotion is never-ending and eternal.

© 2019 Del Cusay

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Sunday, April 21, 2019

Easter Sunday 2019: A Peaceful Journey


The holy week gives us time for contemplation about our faith in God. It renews our faith in Jesus Christ through his passion, death, and resurrection. In commemorating his painful sacrifices and journey to Calvary, we have walked through our path and be with Him.

This year's Holy week gives a new level of enlightenment. Just a few miles away from Manila is a pilgrimage city that millions of Christians visit, especially during the Holy Week. The Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, known as Antipolo Cathedral, offers tranquility for devotees as they pray and renew their vows.

Holy Week 2019: Our Journey to Calvary is our version of Christ's passion. We carry our own cross towards our own Calvary, perhaps experienced in our lifetime on earth. Our sufferings give us hope and strengthen our faith that things are not in our control but only God, the source of our power and the giver of life.

Easter Sunday gives new hope for Christians and humanity as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. It is a celebration for every family, knowing that Christ is indeed alive and with us always on our life's journey.

Easter Sunday is a joy we share among family members and friends. We see the pleasure glittering in the eyes. We hear the holiness in someone's voice. We feel compassion for someone's actions.

We are now truly living and continue to follow the path that gives us pure bliss and enlightenment through God's loving mercy and glory forever.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Holy Week 2019: Our Personal Journey to Calvary


Calvary is a hilly place associated with the crucifixion and death of Jesus, a place we always remember to be the most painful event in His life. Its relevance in today's time goes beyond our catechism about his passion and death, but also our personal journey as we experience carry our own cross our trip to Calvary.

This year's Holy Week celebration commemorates Christ, our Lord's passion, death, and resurrection. This is the time for personal reflection and devotion about the significance of Christ's suffering for humanity that is not exclusive to a particular faith, culture, and social status but refers to Christ's love for all human beings.

We may be suffering endlessly in our lives, even after death, but through pains and sorrows, we learn to grow spiritually and become a more substantial followers of Jesus and servants of God. If we can remember the stories of several saints that we venerate, they may have been the most sinful man who lived on earth. However, God transformed them into his living disciple until their last breath.

Just like us, ordinary humans, we strive hard to become holy, but sins are inevitable. No matter how prayerful we are, we commit sins with our thoughts, words, and actions, yet we still follow Christ and do not abandon our faith. The church is our refuge in times of difficulties; we kneel to pray, ask for forgiveness, and repent for our sins even though we continue to commit sins to various degrees.

We carry not just our own cross, but we have multiple crosses along the way. We take the cross for our family, country, and humanity. From our own cross, we are now connected and interrelated. We have sinned personally, as have our families, government, and society.

These crosses are the hardest and the most painful to carry. Every day we struggle for something, from our thoughts and intentions to our decisions and actions. Our daily suffering is a reminder that as we live on earth, we are bound to suffer just like Jesus, and He taught us that through pains and struggles, we can be saved through His examples; for me, that's how Jesus saved us from our sins through His unconditional love.

We have our personal journey of suffering and our very own Calvary in our hearts and mind. When we become a prisoner of our negativity, we also become a prisoner of our faith.

In my hometown in Jamindan, a Parish was built by the people as they carried their cross. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Linambasan, Jamindan, Capiz, is a place for people who call for the Divine Mother to help us ease the pain and comfort us in our difficulties as we carry our cross.


At these times, we even go beyond our personal cross as we help each other carry the cross of the community of the faithful so that we may be able to walk straight on the path and take a lighter load than we can bear. When we can maintain the little discomfort as we carry our cross, we can help lighten up the heaviness of our society created by our negativity. We can then go beyond our share of the country by being the responsible and faithful citizens that our family and small community have produced.

Holy Week 2019 is to reflect beyond our personal desires for holiness. We may be a sinner, but we can grow spiritually to become better members of our families, community, and beloved country. The Calvary in our time is not a final destination of suffering, but we always carry it and bear with it until our last moment and judgment.

© 2019 Del Cusay

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Sunday, April 14, 2019

Lent 2019: God's Amazing Grace


The 40-day Lenten season may be a long spiritual journey among the faithful. This is quite a long time of sacrifice and giving up on insignificant things with our faith. Though this is a yearly commemoration of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, we still haven't forgotten its meaning and keep following Christ for His teachings on living a Christian way.

During this Lenten season, our sacrifices would mean receiving Divine grace. When we feel hopeless and defeated, God is in the rescue. God comforts us with His loving arms when we are lost, tired, and sick. We feel His presence, and that grace means so much that is His amazing grace.

No matter how undeserving we are of God's blessings, we still receive and accept them. God's love for us, humanity, is that kind of saving grace.

As we celebrate Holy Week 2019, we will go through our personal struggles that signify our limitations; we are one with Christ's suffering. We will also offer our prayers and petitions for ourselves, our families, our communities, and our country. 

We may have different prayers and petitions, but the most common thing we ask for is our safety and security in times of crisis and at all times, to be spared from natural calamities, to achieve peace of mind, and to experience soulful renewal.

God's grace is truly amazing. We will forever be grateful for this Divine gift. A gift that uplifts our souls. A gift that makes us whole.

An amazing Lenten Journey 2019.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Lent 2019: The Spiritual Works of Mercy in Our Time


In celebration of the Lenten season, I have shared about the 'Acts of Mercy' which Jesus Christ taught us by example during his time as a living son of God on earth.

Corporal Works of Mercy in Our Time is about showing compassion to those suffering physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in these modern times and how we can help them live a dignified life and feel the love, care, and support of fellow brothers in Christ. 

Corporal Works of Mercy are more on the physiological needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. However, there are other Acts of Mercy that we are called to practice, which as the Spiritual Works of Mercy; to purify our souls and uplift our spirits.

To instruct the ignorant and counsel the doubtful 

Christians are called to reach out to others to draw them closer to Jesus Christ. During our younger years, we attended a catechism study in our Parish. That was our first step in knowing and practicing the faith passed on to us by our parents and even our great-grandparents as they have learned the Christ before us.

In our society today, we may see a lot of street children, orphans, and out-of-school youth who may not receive proper guidance and are the most vulnerable to exploitation and dangers. They may still be innocent and don't practice their spirituality since their elders may abandon and neglect them. This may lead to doubts about their faith and the absence of Christ in their hearts.

At some point in our lives, we may doubt our faith when a painful event happens. Why me, my Lord? This conflict in our spirituality may result in a deeper understanding and relationship with God as we sincerely strive to know the mystery of his love and mercy.

Even Mother Teresa of Kolkata experienced a dark night of the soul when she expressed her doubts about her faith; however, in the end, she conquered this spiritual conflict and continued serving and loving the abandoned and uncared poor. She left a legacy for us to overcome our doubts and remain faithful to Christ by letting people experience Divine love.

To Admonish, the sinner

Giving a warning or reprimanding someone for sinful acts may be challenging since we are all sinners and, at some point, have committed a sin and may be vulnerable to future sins in our lifetime. In short, who are we to judge?

But as Christians, we are called to protect our brothers and sisters who may be lost and against the direction of Divine light. Yes, we are all sinners, but that doesn't mean we can't lead others to correct their ways when they are fallen in the dark.

Today, we see children who are victims of peer pressure and lack good parenting and curiosity, making them vulnerable to sin. They showed lousy behavior, a rebellious attitude, and indifference. This may be quite different from the previous generations when kids show the highest respect to their elders and are afraid to commit wrongful acts against family values. Parents just want to protect their children so they will grow to have the correct values and contribute to society. Parents want their children to take the right path and rescue them whenever they are at the crossroads of right and wrong.

To bear wrongs patiently and forgive offenses willingly

There may be times when we become impatient towards the wrongdoing of others, and as human nature, taking revenge or hatred would justify our actions in return.

We may have been a victim of circumstances where our patience is being tested; either we accept it or fight for it. For instance, someone may have cut us in line. Let's let it happen and understand the person for whatever reasons he may have, or we could confront and verbally reprimand and embarrass him. Sometimes we commit the same mistake without knowing it, but others act patiently on us without any harsh words from them.

Also, we may encounter road rage, and both sides seem aggressive in proving their right. When someone offended us, our reaction would be to hurt that person even more just to get even and to protect our ego. This happens many times on the road causing public scandal and physical injuries.

Patience is indeed a virtue that we must cultivate and practice, and forgiveness is more significant for our peace of mind and purity of the heart. It may be tough to forgive those who have wronged us. Still, we must remember that as humans, we may have consciously or unconsciously hurt other people resulting in their emotional and mental suffering.

It is said that 'forgive and be forgiven, and this timeless wisdom is relevant even in our time. We can forgive people, but how can we be ignored by people we have wronged? I have learned that one of the steps in meditation is the forgiveness ritual, on which we have to visualize that we are already forgiven by that someone. This two-way process of forgiving someone and asking for forgiveness gives lightness to our hearts and freedom from worries and fears.

To comfort the afflicted

There may be moments when we are tested through suffering and pain. We ask God, why me? Yet, we are not alone in these trials since Jesus even asked, Father, why have you forsaken me?

We may have been victims of natural calamities and the death of loved ones, and heartaches resulting in loneliness, grief, and apathy. We may be experiencing setbacks and discomfort to fully understand and be compassionate with other people's sufferings. We go through the same path and feel their pains and sorrows.

In difficult times, one way to comfort those suffering is to walk with them to find their inner peace, thinking of their fate and offering a prayer. Then when they regain strength, they will be able to live a peaceful life and comfort other wounded and lost people.

To pray for the living and the dead

Our religious leaders often asked us to pray for them, and even Pope Francis did it several times when the church was exposed to scandals and issues that would test his leadership and faith.

Sometimes we pray to someone to ease his suffering or for whatever intentions they want to receive. It is said that whatever you ask will be given to you. This may be a universal law and doesn't fail to provide us with whatever we ask through prayer.

Prayer beyond personal intentions requires humility and compassion when directed to others going through tough times. It is even more excellent service
when we pray for those who passed away before us. We dearly departed need our prayer for them to be cleansed before entering their final resting place in heaven. We remember them in November on the celebration of all souls day; our prayers are what they need for their salvation.

During this Lenten season, we reflect on the teachings of Jesus Christ for us to have a deeper understanding and relationship with Him and to receive his glory. Through Acts of Mercy, we develop Christ-consciousness that will serve as our guide towards Divinely-inspired living today and beyond life on earth in eternity.

© 2019 Del Cusay