ELS

Ale

x U

y Y

co

Today, I receive all of God’s love for me. Today, I open myself to the unbounded, limitless, overflowing abundance of God’s universe. Today, I open myself to God’s blessings, healing, and miracles. Today, I open myself to God’s Word so I would become more like Jesus every day. Today, I proclaim that I am God’s beloved, I am God’s servant, I am God’s powerful champion. And because I am blessed, I am blessing the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

AT THE PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTERA Catholic Prayer Meeting of the LIGHT OF JESUS FAMILY

February 24, 2013

4 FEASTS TODAY!8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. First Feast Session, Plenary Hall9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Second Feast Session, Reception Hall10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Third Feast Session, Plenary Hall3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Fourth Feast Session, Plenary HallHave Fun and Be Blessed

in the Happiest Place on Earth!

IN THIS ISSUE

HAPPY, HEALTHY, HOLY MONEYChanging Your Relationship With Wealth

Talk 1: HappyTalk 2: HealthyTalk 3: HolyBig Day: Grow Your Self, Grow Your Wealth

TYPE! Feast attendees shed blood during Medical Ministry’s bloodletting session dubbed Be My Type. Give Love. Donate Blood. More on pages 4-5.

Grow Your

SOME people think that Net Worth means how much they’ve got in their banks, in their stocks, and in their homes.

Nope.Your accountant will

tell you, “Add up your cash and investments, and that’s your Net Worth. If you own your house, add it there too.” (That’s another error. I agree with Robert Kiyosaki who said that your house isn’t an asset but a liability. But there’s a bigger error I’m pointing out today…)

Let me tell you what is your REAL Net Worth.Last year, one of my Business Mentors was toying

about selling his company and starting over. “I can do it all over again. Because the wealth is here,” pointing to his brain.

Through the years, I’ve realized that Net Worth has nothing to do with your cash or stocks or real estate. Instead, your Net Worth is WHO YOU ARE inside—which includes your skills, your character, your soul, and your relationships.

The outer is merely a reflection of the inner. If the outer (wealth) is NOT a reflection of the inner, wealth won’t last. After one year, or five years, or ten years, or twenty years… it will vanish.

Today, you’ll learn how to grow your REAL net worth.

My prayer is that through God’s message to you today, you’ll experience the financial miracle that you’ve been praying for.

Be surprised by God today at the Feast.May your dreams come true,

BO SANCHEZ

MORE LOVE MONTH

STORIESSee pages 4-7

LAST WEEK

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert, for forty days being put to the test by the devil. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry. Then the devil said to him, ‘If you are Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf. ‘But Jesus replied, ‘Scripture says: Human beings live not on bread alone… --Luke 4:1-13

Fr. Steve Tynan, explaining last Sunday’s Gospel, shared that all of us are tempted to do evil. Even Jesus is tempted by the devil to desire food, power, and wealth.

Jesus combats the devil by giving answers based on truth. To overcome temptation, we need to trust in the Lord who was victorious against the Evil One. Through His victory on the cross, Jesus overcame sin, and that victory is given to us through the sacraments, prayer, meditation on the word of God, and by living out the life of virtue and holiness. Fr. Steve reminded us that the devil was already defeated by the Lord, but he never gives up in tempting us to sin. To avoid the temptations, we must place our self under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Those who call upon the name of Jesus will be saved.

During the Lenten season, we should ask God for guidance and forgiveness. We must choose to be men and women of our faith community with the Father and the Spirit. United we stand, divided we fall -- for the devil’s principle is to divide and conquer.

We will not succeed if we try going on our own. As St. Paul said, “With God, all things are possible!”

-- James Bardos Photo by Ralph Robles

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Excerpts from Talk 3: Holy Money of the series Happy, Healthy, Holy Money by Bro. BO SANCHEZ

The Bible says that if you’re humble and do what God wants you to do, it leads to many blessings—including financial blessings.

Here’s what I realized: God doesn’t have a problem with wealth. We do. God doesn’t have any hang-ups about wealth and money. We do!

If you will only obey me,

you will have plenty to eat. --Isaiah 1:19

There’s nothing wrong with wealth.

If wealth becomes evil, it’s because our heart has become evil. But it doesn’t have to be so.

We Need To Redefine What “Holy” Means

What does “Holy” mean?For many people, “Holy”

means “Religious”. If someone says, “My

officemate is holy,” 90% of the time, he’s saying, “My officemate is pious.” Or prayerful. Or goes to Mass. Or reads the Bible. Or wears a conservative dress. Or has a Rosary around her neck. Or has cloth scapulars and silver medals pinned to their chest. Or is quiet, docile, and shy. Or doesn’t drink, gamble, smoke, or swear.

But I want to correct that confused thinking today.

All of the above is fine.But that’s NOT holiness.The Greek word for Holy

is Hagios, which literally means “set apart for God”.

But who is God? The Bible says God is Love

(1 John 4:8).So what does “Holy” mean?Holy Means One Thing

and One Thing Only…In my mind, “holy” means

to be set apart for LOVE. Do you want to know if

your money is holy? Let me share with you the two most important signs of Holy Money:

Sign #1:If the PURPOSE of

Money Is Love…

People say you can’t bring your wealth to Heaven. But there IS a way to bring your money to Heaven. ..The Bible says so: Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where

thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

Only Holy Things can enter Heaven.

And money, when given away, becomes holy. Why? Because its purpose is LOVE

This is the reason I encourage you to make TITHING a way of life. Not because you have to. But because you

want to. Start by giving 10% of your income to God. (This isn’t a law but a love.) That’s a great starting point. And then as God blesses you more, give more.

Every time you tithe, you’re shipping your wealth to Heaven.

Sign #2:If the PROCESS of

Money Is Love… Here’s my Big Question:

How did you earn the money? I know some Drug Lords

in South America donate massive amounts of money to orphanages and charitable organizations.

Here’s the magic question you always want to ask: “In the PROCESS of making money, did I become more LOVING? More patient? More sacrificial? More selfless?”

If it did, then no doubt about it: Your money is

holy. Your work is holy. Your job is holy. Your business is holy. Your investment is holy.

Conclusion: You’ll Receive

the Wealth of the Wicked

When the purpose of making money is loving others—and when the process of earning money makes you more loving—money becomes holy.

Right now, a lot of wealth is not used for love. It’s used for selfishness, greed, exploitation, war, and perversion.

But I believe a day is coming when ALL money will become holy. Why do I say that? The Bible says, The wealth of the wicked is reserved for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22). Perhaps this is about the End of the World.

But I want to believe that in some small way, it can happen in our lifetime. I believe wealth is crying out to fulfill its God-ordained mission of loving others. And wealth wants to find its way into the hands of loving people who will use it for love and who will earn it with love.

Be that person! Be that person of great love.--With reporting by Cessna Papas

Photo by ELS

2 THE FEAST February 24, 2013

REFLECTIONS

Editor’s Note: Have you reflections on the Feast talks? Share! and let the world know God’s Words are true! For details, email feasteditor@gmail.com, or call 09399044065.

By IMELDA FERRER

WHAT would you do if you are incarcerated for 19 long years because you stole a loaf of bread to feed your sister’s son?

Undoubtedly, you would probably be hardened and seething with anger.

That’s what exactly happened to Jean Valjean in Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserables which was presented as a musical, and recently, in a film adaptation.

Valjean seeks refuge in a convent where the Bishop gives him food and lodging. He tells Valjean: “God has raised you out of darkness, I have saved your soul for God.”

Valjean changes his ways and even becomes a respected man in his community. Here we see that the hardest of hearts melt when the power of goodness melts in.

Les Miserables offers a lot of food for thought.

Another character, Fantine, is forced to become a prostitute to be able to feed her daughter Cosette. Young as she is, Fantine sings of dreams unfulfilled – “no song unsung, no wine untasted.”

Indeed, the young seem to have it all but all actions, all decisions are fraught with consequences. If we choose to fritter our life away, then it would indeed be a waste. It is impossible to live a life free from

mistakes but if we have an anchor in God, these things can be mitigated.

Meanwhile, Eponine, a childhood friend of Cosette, grows up to be a lonely teenager, falling in love, but her love is unrequited. And she expresses her frustration in the poignant song, On My Own, which reverberates in hearts that live in denial. There is a need to wake up from slumber and time to take action. It’s not good to dwell in dreams.

In his recent talk on Significance, Bro. Bo Sanchez said we can only be happy when we live a life of service to others. That’s the way to be significant.

Indeed, the way to God is not a walk in the park. Oftentimes, we stumble in the dark. That is why there’s a need to pray for other people, especially for those who do not pray at all. We are our brother’s keeper. We are responsible for each and everyone.

‘May I Talk to You?’By CES ARCILLA Illustration by THEA DOMINGO

EVERYONE of us in the team dreaded to hear that question.

My boss was implementing a major change in the company. Once or twice a day, he approached employees and asked them that question. That meant the employee would be affected by the change. Most likely, you would be transferred to another office, given a task you don’t like, or demoted, or worst of all, fired.

Every day, I heard colleagues called by the boss sighing, complaining about their frustrations on the job. Hearing them whining, and fearing I’d be called next, simply stressed me.

And then Friday came. My boss approached me and said, “Ces, may I talk to you?”

Then I heard the next dreaded words… “You will be moving...”

I would be transferred to an office so strange to me. I would be doing tasks I simply don’t like to do. I am doomed!

That was how I felt when I attended the Special Feast Day last January 27, when Bro. Bo Sanchez wrapped up the series titled Guaranteed by

presenting three more-- yes, guaranteed-- promises of God: Purpose, Progress, and Perfection.

Bro. Didoy Lubaton talked about how God revealed his Purpose for him. Bro. Jan Silan testified how he experienced Progress in his career and ministry when he obeyed God’s will. Bro. Bo affirmed that God promised us Perfection so we must see everything that happens to us as part of the process toward God’s purpose for us.

The three talks could have not come at a more appropriate time for me. Stressed as I was about my job, I simply needed to be reminded that God has a Purpose for me, and I will Progress if only I will obey Him. And in His Perfect Time, I will reach the Perfection He promised.

Bro. Didoy, Bro. Jan, and Bro Bo assured me that God would see the completion of His plans for me. Change in my life is inevitable. But God is stable. He is faithful. He is the only one in the world who said, “Be still and know that I am God.”

*Quotes in this article are from the Les Miserables songs with original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, with an English-language libretto by Herbert Kretzmer and music by Claude-Michel Schönberg.

DREAMING DREAMS, from left: Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, and Natalya Angel Wallace as Eponine.

THE FEAST February 24, 2013 3

MINISTRIES

By AILEEN GRACE ALVAREZ and MARK VILLACORTE Photos by ALEX UY YCO

“YOU just might be somebody’s type.”With this catchphrase, the Feast

PICC Medical Ministry attracted last Sunday 145 persons who qualified to be blood donors in the annual bloodletting program of the Ministry in celebration of February as the Love Month.

Yes, over a hundred Feast attendees gave their blood out of love for God and for sick people needing blood to be healed of their illness.

Headed by Dr. Bong Inciong, the Medical Ministry tirelessly promoted the bloodletting project which this year was held in coordination with the Department of Health and the Philippine Blood Center for the benefit of the Feast Partner Beneficiaries such as the Anawim Home for Abandoned Elderly, Grace to Be Born Shelter for Women in Crisis, and He Cares Home for Street Children.

The promotion, dubbed Be My Type. Give Love. Donate Blood, was held at the Plenary Hall Lobby on February 3 and February 10.

“Donating blood helps you determine how healthy you are because you undergo medical tests to determine whether you are qualified to be a donor,” Sis. Marlyn Cortes, project coordinator, said.

Feast attendees may ask for the Medical Ministry’s help if they are in need of blood donation.

Yes, through the generous, loving people of the happiest place on Earth, someone in need of blood might just find his type.

LOVE BANK, top, 1st and 2nd rows: Bro. Bo Sanchez and Bro. Bong Inciong inspire donors registering to share their portion for the Blood Bank; 3rd row: volunteers check weight and blood pressure of applicants; 4th row: donors signing up and then extending their fingers for blood typing.

Oozing with

4 THE FEAST February 24, 2013

LIFESAVERS, from top: More donors sharing precious blood; Dr. Inciong and Marlyn Cortes flanking Feast PICC Council Head, Bro. Rolly and wife Donna; the Medical Team so happy to serve.

THE FEAST February 24, 2013 5

CARING GROUPS

Thank You, Lord!

For details call: Malour Montecillo, 09192524428

Thank You, Lord, for the continuous blessings to our company and for our people who have always been loyal to us.

- James and Christine MarieThank You, Lord. I was able to bring

my brother and sister-in-law to the Feast. My son also finds great joy in attending the Feast.

- Rose MarieThank You, Lord, for healing my

goiter, for all the blessings You have given me, and most of all, for the gift of life.

- Lezilda Omac

Thank You, Lord! I was able to take my family to Singapore for free!

- LizaThank You, Lord, for my new job which

is very fulfilling and financially rewarding.- Mon V.

I considered my son a late bloomer. He started speaking at the age of three. I prayed that he would be able to speak normally. Now that he is 5, I tell him to stop talking. Thank You, Lord!

- Jena

Thank You, Lord, for the speedy recovery of my mom from her operation. Thank You for the health of my parents.

- Anonymous

Thank You, Lord! My brother will finally go to Kuwait to work, after six months of waiting.

- AndashThank You, Lord! My dream of having

a laptop has been fulfilled, and it is better than what I wished for!

- Melrose CalambaI asked Bro. Bo to pray for me that I

may pass the Qatar prometric exam so that I could follow my husband there. I passed the exam, and I’m just waiting for my dataflow result, visa, and ticket. Thank You, Lord!

- Donna GraceThank You, Lord. I finished my

master thesis, and my project was accepted in London. And thank You for my happy married life.

- Rommel AlegreThank You, Lord, for the job

opportunity of Julian Henry in Japan.- Rebecca Pia

Radical LoveBy JAMES BARDOSTHE word radical means drastic,

extreme. We are called Radical Men because out of our love for God, we have drastically turned our back from the usual carefree life of a teenager toward a life of discipleship for the Lord. We underwent extreme leadership training as the Light of Jesus Family has a great plan for us: to be the next leaders of our faith community, especially in building more Feasts.

The Radical Men attended a three-month training course led by Bro. Obet Cabrillas which focused on leadership principles and techniques. A retreat and graduation rites capped the course.

We hope that more radical men would join our group to assure the Light of Jesus of continuity in fulfilling God’s mandate in Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

MEN FOR THE LORD, counterclockwise, from top: Bro. Bo Sanchez introducing the Radical Men at the Feast; Bro. Obet Cabrillas (center) hamming it up with the guys; James enjoying rope walk as his Radical brothers cheer him on.

6 THE FEAST February 24, 2013

Thank You, Lord, for changing the attitude of my boss towards me. He is now kind to me.

- Ma. Nelia

BLESSING BLOGS

Editor’s Note: Have you a similar story how you have received blessings from God? Share! and let the world know miracles still do happen today to give hope especially to the lost. For details, email feasteditor@gmail.com, or call 09399044065.

He says... She says...

YES! It’s still the Love Month. We still have a Valentine hangover. So The Feast has one more love story for you.

Anthony Rouben Valenzuela, or Ant as friends call him, is the regular stage actor in the skits illustrating the recent talks of Bro. Bo Sanchez.

Anthony, 28, is a media engagement specialist at the World Vision.

Mary Anne Melad, or Meanne, 24, is Ant’s supportive girlfriend. She is a senior marketing communication specialist at IBM.

Both Ant and Meanne are members of the Feast PICC Creative and Events Group (CEG).

Ant and Meanne met back in college at Adamson University. Their love story began when Meanne, a member of the Youth for Christ in Adamson, found out that Ant came from Bahrain where he was a member of the YFC branch there.

So Meanne invited Ant to join the YFC in Adamson.Then they became friends, exchanging text messages almost every day.

In December 2006, Meanne turned 18 and had a debut party with the usual 18-Roses dance. Ant presented her the 18th rose.

On January 9, 2007, they officially became boyfriend-girlfriend. They have been together for six years now, and counting.

Theirs is a true love not only for one another, but also for the Lord. Here, they share with The Feast their love story...

What was your biggest struggle in your love life and how have you overcome it?

Ant: Our biggest struggle was during the first three years when we had our silent quarrels throughout the day. No one took the initiative to apologize or talk it out. Good thing we were able to settle our differences at the end of the day. Now, I’m proud to say that we’ve learned to accept our differences.

Meanne: We are both busy all the time-- I for school and work, and he for a lot of things. Since Ant is very talented, he often has a lot of things going on. But we try to understand that we are not just made for each other-- but we are made ultimately for God’s purpose.

What have you learned in the Feast?

Ant: What we have learned in the Feast is that God must always be in the center of each of us as an individual and that He always must be in the center of our relationship-- because we cannot survive in the relationship without God.

Meanne: I learned a lot. But ultimately I learned that what is relationship if it doesn’t serve and inspire? Relationship is not just for the both of you but also for the people around you. I learned to put my passion in communication for a greater purpose which is to serve others.

By MARTHINA SALOME

SWEET LIFE, from top: Ant and Meanne so in love; the couple with friends after Ant acted in the Feast Vampire series; joining the celebrated Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City last 2011 with college friends.

ONE MORE LOVE STORY

What’s the difference between yourself today and your past?

Ant: We’ve become more patient, understanding, and hopeful and we have realized that we cannot get ahead of God’s plans. Our relationship has also grown with meaning since it’s not exclusive. We reach out to others especially our

brothers and sisters in service-- in the Singles for Christ, Youth for Christ, Light of Jesus Family, and work mates as well.

Meanne: I know now my purpose and every day is a journey to fulfill that.

but for the long-term. The gifts you develop as a couple and as individuals will impact not just your future family and kids but generations to come.

Meanne: Really pray for your relationship. For those who have no partner yet, look for someone whom

you can really be your friend more than anything else. When you become real friends, you learn to respect each other’s spiritual language, purpose, and need of space. Don’t get manipulated by what you see on media. Just be yourself. Take care of your character and God will take care of your love life.

Who are your inspirations?Ant: Our inspirations are Bro. Bo

and his wife, Sis. Marowe Sanchez, our families and friends at the Feast, at work and college batch mates.

Meanne: My family, some friends who are so passionate with what they do, and Anthony, of course.

What do you want to impart to Feast attendees and servants especially singles who are in a relationship right now?

Ant: My word to singles in a relationship is that always put God in the center of who you are. Just wait patiently because He’ll create something best in your relationship not just for now

THE FEAST February 24, 2013 7

Meanne: I started liking him when I realized that he is someone I can talk to about anything.

Ant: I’m proud to say that we’ve learned to accept our differences.

PuBLIc RELATIONS:RHODA OSALVO

Head

MARTHINA G. SALOMEAssistant Head

LOST and FOUND If you lost or found an item, please approach any of the ushers who will guide you to our Lost and Found section.

BO SANCHEZFounder

CYNTHIA U. SANTIAGOEditor-in-chief

BELLA ESTRELLA Managing Editor

KRISTINE MUTUCAPPLE CHICO Associate Editors

EDMUNDO SANTIAGOchief Photographer

CRIS LEGASPIAssistant chief Photographer

CES ARCILLARAMEL ROBLESJAMES MORRISONALEX UY YCO Photographers

AILEEN ALVAREZMARY JOY ACABADOCESSNA PAPASBETHANY DECHAVEZReporters

JOEL ESTRELLAChief Artist

ELIE BAÑEZTHEA DOMINGOAssistant Artists

MEMBERSHIP:KIM PAMPLONAHead

ARLENE BATISLAONGAssistant Head

FINANcE:JANE IBAYHead

CHICHI BARBAAssistant Head

The FEAST, published by the Light of Jesus Family, is distributed during The Feast by the Manila Bay, a weekly prayer gathering of the Light of Jesus held at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila, every Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

The FEAST holds office at The Lighthouse, 60 Chicago St., Quezon City, with telephone numbers 725-9999, and email address feasteditor@gmail.com.

ONE MORE MIRACLE

Got One More Miracle? A mysterious, inexplicable experience—a miracle God has allowed to happen to let you know He loves you? Share! Email your article with your picture to feasteditor@gmail.com.

Rizal, St. John, the Holy Spirit, and Final ExamBy CANDICE MANAOG Illustration by ROMY MELLA

WHEN I was in college, I had a problem with my Rizal subject. What I didn’t like about the subject was that I had to memorize dates along with the names of the people related to Jose Rizal-- his family members as well as his past lovers. Our national hero may call me indolent, but really, I hated the memory work. For me, what mattered most was his contribution to us Filipinos.

The final exam period was fast approaching but I still had to finish my thesis. So, in between reviewing for the final exams, I was working on my thesis. I barely had time to read my Rizal books. I didn’t have time to memorize the dates.

I worried sick about the test on Rizal. I knew I would have a low grade, if not altogether fail the exam. I was really in panic mode because I was running for honors, and I simply couldn’t afford even just one low grade.

Now, it happened that a day before the final exams, a church near our house announced that the relic of St. John de Bosco was to be exhibited for the public to venerate.

Is it a coincidence that St. John de Bosco, the patron of students, would be near me in my time of crisis? Quickly, I went to the church and begged St. John to pray for me. I also wrote my

request on a petition booklet provided for visitors.

The final exam on Rizal was objective – that meant I couldn’t guess. I’d have to write the exact date or the names of the people that were asked in the questionnaire. Wrong spelling meant a wrong answer.

I prayed to the Holy Spirit and for the intercession of St. John as I answered the test questions.To my astonishment, the answers kept popping in my head.

The results came the following week. Would you believe, I had a perfect score!

My professor congratulated me and asked how I did it, but I couldn’t provide any explanation.

Except I knew the Holy Spirit guided me and St. John helped me.

I didn’t write this for students to be complacent about studying but as a testimony to show God’s amazing grace.

8 THE FEAST February 24, 2013