"Anyone who gives you a drink of water (because you are a disciple). . . will not, I assure you, go without his reward." (Mt. 9:41).  In these weeks, to be honest,I felt enveloped by God's love.  Friends, providence, mutual love in the community, many spiritual blessings, feeling good with my health, adjusted to my diabetes.  God, You have pampered me a lot!  (This happened often times in my life when more responsibilities with more sufferings are coming).

But I would like to write about those who were giving my a lot of "drinking" water.  Water is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit, its fruits? Love, joy, patience, etc.  All these do not come in an instant but through persons who love. Friends who offered their friendships, persons whom I have not even meet are very good and kind to me.  Is it because I am a disiciple of Someone?  For sure!  And it is this Someone whom I might sidetrack and focus on the effects of this "life-giving water"  Yes, He identified Himself with the Source of life giving water, but I could be stupid not to connect both.

Once, my bishop told me about that during the second world war, since there were bombings in Intramuros, the parish priest decided to transfer the Blessed Sacrament to a safer place,  He used a donkey to carry the tabernacle on its back, and while the donkey is walking through the streets, he realized that the faithful are kneeling down when he approaches.  He thought that they are doing it for him, and it entered his stupid head that he is a VIP.  We are like that donkey, the bishop told me.  I am that stupid donkey!

How easy it is for me to enjoy and be gratified about the gifts that God is showing me, sometimes forgetting that behind those gifts of persons, friendships, genuine relationships, is God who is love.  Even persons in the blogosphere, are very kind to me, and I have to admit, I enjoy it, perhaps without knowing, like that stupid donkey.

I wanted to thank God for this month of graces, lots of them, expressed by those who might even be reading this journal.  Persons whom I might not know but expressed the love of God for me.  The providence that I received for my apostolate, which otherwise could not be attained through my work only.  The joy of community-life and friendships of those who are continuously praying for me.  Oh God, so immense is you love for me!  I pray that you will not spoil me as you have spoiled me before, or rather it was me who spoiled myself by not seeing through these events, gifts, persons that You are the souce of everything.  All are expressions of your love!

I could not but pray for these persons! I could not but enter more in Your reality which is Caritas, charity, love.  I could not but spurred to also do my part - to give "a drink of water": a smile, an understanding, an encouragement, some kind words, or silence in prayer, counsel, to give time, to give an ear.  There are infinite ways, to give "water" Lord.  I pray that you enlighten me to give this "living water".

Was it not this "water" that we gave when we welcomed two poor familes during the storm called Milenyo?  Was it not this "water" when we helped that lady financially to be operated, even when our budget was stretched.  Was it not You who inspired us to save money in order to have some for the needy?  What is not You who encouraged us to live so that our unity in the community could increase?  Was it not you who pushed one of us to learned about micro lending in order to help a family put up a small business?  Perhaps, yes, perhaps no, I don't care.  What is important is it also makes my heart lighter and a smile in my lips would come when I remember them during the night before I sleep in your love.

Happy holidays, Am :)

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