Damean's Beat [NDDU Core Values]

JUNE - Openness to the Spirit

JULY - Integrity of Creation

AUGUST - Family Spirit

SEPTEMBER - Simplicity

OCTOBER - Marian

NOVEMBER - Presence and Participation

DECEMBER - Preference to the Least-Favored

JANUARY -  Quality education

FEBRUARY - Love of Work

MARCH- Perseverance and Gratitude

APRIL - Culture-sensitivity

MAY - Honesty

faith ??? life used to be so simple

i told you so, the commandments hold

since sis hanie started her course in shariah, she also (has) started asking me questions about the islam faith. i told her it's not really different from catholic or christian faith, it has it's basic wisdom from believing in one God and loving our fellowmen. up to the present, the famous ten commandents (Moses time) is being posted (sometimes unnoticed) in churches, schools and parks - reminding us of our guide in our dealings. i say, it still holds strong as a guide and basically it's also taught (can be found) in the Qur'an (the holy book of Islam).

to support my statement, i consulted ever-dependable friend 'wiki' (you know what i mean) and it has this to say: 'In Islam Moses (Musa) is venerated as one of the greatest prophets of God. However, Islam also teaches that the texts of the Torah and the Gospels have been corrupted from their divine originals over the years, due to carelessness and self-interest. Despite this purported corruption, messages from the Torah and the Gospels still coincide closely with certain verses in the Qur'an. This is by-and-large the case with the Ten Commandments.'

hence, despite the Ten Commandments not being explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an they are somewhat similar in substance to the following verses in the Qur'an (i took the liberty of placing the christian's version- just in case of reader's memory gap) :

"I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me..." "There is no other god beside God." (Qur'an 47:19)

"Do not make an image or any likeness of what is in the heavens above..." "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols." (Qur'an 14:35)

"Do not swear falsely by the name of the LORD..." "And make not Allah's (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for Allah is One Who heareth and knoweth all things." (Qur'an 2:224) 

"Remember [zachor] the Sabbath day and keep it holy" (the version in Deuteronomy reads shamor, "observe") "O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu`ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business." (Qur'an 62:9)

"Honor your father and your mother..." "....and your parents shall be honoured. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never (even) say to them, "Uff" (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably." (Qur'an 17:23)

"Do not murder""....anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people." (Qur'an 5:32)

"Do not commit adultery." "You shall not commit adultery; it is a gross sin, and an evil behaviour." (Qur'an 17:32)

"Do not steal." "They shall not steal." (Al-Mumtahanah 60: 12) and "The thief, male or female, you shall cut off their hands as a punishment for their crime, and to serve as an example from God. God is Almighty, Most Wise." (Qur'an 5:38)

"Do not bear false witness against your neighbor""Do not withhold any testimony by concealing what you had witnessed. Anyone who withholds a testimony is sinful at heart." (Qur'an 2:283)

'Do not covet your neighbor's house; your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'  "And do not covet what we bestowed upon any other people. Such are temporary ornaments of this life, whereby we put them to the test. What your Lord provides for you is far better, and everlasting." (Qur'an 20:131)

so there it is. i need not say more. not for now, at the least. i may not be able to answer all questions about the islam faith (i'm just an explorer), but at least i know a little and am willing to know more. and yes,  it's not really different from catholic or christian faith, it has it's basic wisdom from believing in one God and loving our fellowmen. for one, i think, that matters a lot. the famous ten commandents posted in churches, schools and parks - is there to remind us of our ways. may heavens give us enough strength...

loving this song, in catholic mass celebrations

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin,

My hand will save.

I, who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord.

Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have borne my people's pain.

I have wept for love of them.

They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone,

Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my words to them.

Whom shall I send?

(Refrain)

I, the Lord of wind and flame,

I will send the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them.

My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide,

'Til their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them.

Whom shall I send?

(Refrain)

Pope Francis visits Pinas

January 15, Thursday

5:45 pm - Arrival at Villamor Air Base in Manila. 

January 16, Friday

09:15 am - Welcome ceremony at the Malacañang Palace. 

11:15 am - Holy Mass with the bishops, priests, and others 

from religious orders at the Manila Cathedral

5:30 pm  - Meeting with families 

(pre-selected by Philippine dioceses) at Mall of Asia Arena

January 17, Saturday

08:15 am - Departure from Manila for Tacloban

09:30 am - Arrival at the airport of Tacloban

10:00 am - Holy Mass near Tacloban International Airport

12:45 pm - Lunch with some of the survivors of typhoon Yolanda 

at the Archbishop’s Residence in Palo, Leyte

3:00 pm  - Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor

3:30 pm  - Meeting with the priests, seminarians and families 

of the survivors at the Cathedral of Palo, Leyte

5:00 pm  - Departure from Tacloban to Manila

6:15 pm  - Arrival at Villamor Air Base in Manila

January 18, Sunday

09:45 am - Brief Meeting with the religious leaders of the Philippines 

at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila

10:30 am - Meeting with the youth at the Sports Field of the UST

3:30 pm  - Holy Mass at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park in Manila

January 19, Monday

09:45 am - Send-off ceremony at the 

Presidential Pavilion of Villamor Air Base in Manila

10:00 am - Departs for Rome

5:40 pm  - Pope arrives at the airport of Rome/Ciampino


[source: https://ph.news.yahoo.com/papal-itinerary]

flashback: something to hold on to

joey velasco joined his usual subject at 43

'heartist' painter joey velasco passed away at 43.

he had been battling kidney problems for years.

he started painting to deal with the depression caused by his illness.

he is famous for depicting Jesus in everyday Filipino life.his works immortalized the enduring faith that saw him to the end.

finally, he came face to face with our maker, his art inspiration.

the other night, one can see and feel the overflowing love of people, families and friends and even fans (like me) as they joined a mass celebrated for him.
he lived a full life.
fare thee well great joey.


[pictures shown here are my favorite portions of joey velasco's paintings exhibited during his wake]