up and down

my title for this day's blog summarized my day perfectly. up and down.

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UP: i attended the summer general assembly of our org, aclc. i realized how much i've missed my org and the people in it. i realized how it plays an important part in my life right now, as a student, as a son, as a friend and as a christian. today, i remembered why i was still in ateneo and why i was still in my org.

2 major things struck me today.

1. je, our moderator, told us that aclcers should give their 90%, not just 70%. absolutely. to be able to maximize and appreciate the entirety of the formation of the christian life community, you have to give it everything you've got. hindi pwedeng paunti unti lang. her words, filled with passion for the way of life, struck me and hit me hard. we're very lucky to have her as our moderator for this year. galing nya!

2. fr. jett villarin celebrated our mass after the general assembly. it was the best way to end the whole activity. there, i realized that i've never enjoyed the mass the way i enjoyed fr. jett's mass. he celebrated the mass in such a way that he speaks to you personally. for me, the mass had an impact because the celebrant did not isolate himself from the congregation or the community. he said mass in a more personal note, reaching out to everyone in the room. nagustuhan ko yung sinabi niya tungkol sa puno. ngayon, vulnerable pa kami, kailangan diligan para patatagin dahil pag nakaugat na at hinog na, kahit anong unos, matatag ka na. he emphasized on prayer. ngayong matanda na siya, prayer is more than a chore; an obligation. he sees the need to pray everyday and if he misses out on prayer, he always feels that something is missing in his life. grabe, ganyan na ang feeling ko. second, nagustuhan ko yung binigay niyang hamon sa amin sa aming pagbabalik-ugat. he challenged us to face social and spiritual apathy. begin with the poor and make everyone aware that there is a God. it is not in bringing God to them but finding God in them. galing talaga ni fr. jett. i really enjoyed the mass.

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DOWN: i feel down because of confusion and concern. confused and concerned about lots of things. don't want to divulge. masyado ring komplikado. hindi ko na maipaliwanag. but being the optimistic person that i am, naiisip ko lagi ang nakuha kong grasya sa araw na ito. i felt the importance of prayer in my life kaya ipinagdasal ko na lang ito. so medyo okay na rin.

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ReROOT, Coming Home to the Way of Life...
CLC way of life, i'm coming home to you once again.