SE Weekend Lookback
The Bukas Loob sa Diyos Singles Ministry recently concluded the 3-day Singles Encounter 14 (SE14) last Sunday August 20th. My experiences during the preparation and the weekend itself were certainly an awakening for me in that the desire to serve God through others (and if truly committed at that) entails great responsibility and sacrifices. The work is even made harder because the enemy is working double-time also in the hope of preventing us from carrying out the mission given to us at that particular time. We cannot disregard the spiritual dryness we all felt at some time; the overlapping of schedules and events; the procrastination; pride; anger; complacency; the lack of faith in others; laziness; the lack of cooperation; the misunderstandings; and the unexplained events and circumstances (I know some of you have stories to tell J). However, my faith was just so firm that if God will call us to carry out His plan, He too will be our shield and our strength. He will arrange things for us and take care of all our concerns so that we can serve. He became the armor of all of us who were involved in the event. Check out Psalm 91 J He indeed revealed his power to us albeit in a subtle way.
During the Reconciliation Service, God made it all possible for me to feel what it was like to carry another’s burden. As part of the prayer chain, we were all saying the Rosary as slowly and one by one the candidates passed in the middle of the chain on the way to confession. Then at some point, I felt heaviness on my shoulders, slowly engulfing my being and I truly felt I cannot go on. I do not know who among the candidate/s burden/s I carried but all I could think of was to seek refuge in the Vigil Room, and facing him in the Blessed Sacrament literally cried out to him to take away the burden that was in me; and you know what, he did just that! He soothed me and comforted me and took away the heaviness. This same experience re-occurred to all of us from the Piety as we were doing the vigil during the reading of the love letters. The Lord really magnified himself in me. I am even more humbled and truly came to realize that I cannot make it without him. For come to think of it, I felt like I cannot go on carrying the burden of a few people, maybe even just one; but Jesus carried the burden of all humanity until his death. Imagine how heavy His cross was! So let us all come to Jesus because He alone has the capacity to carry our burdens for us, and He will never disappoint I guarantee. J
I thank the Lord for giving all involved in the SE weekend (especially the cOoL people of SE13 and the cOoL shepherds!) the spirit of humility that made us all able to tolerate one another’s shortcomings, inadequacies and idiosyncrasies; and all the support we got from the BLD community. Are we not glad of the fellowship and the stronger bond among us SE13? Is it not great to be victorious with God and for God? God is looking down on us with favor now. These are all the blessings we receive in return and it was all worth it!
For the 48 candidates, coming back to God is the best decision you have ever made in your life. Decide to grow in Him and all will be well.
Lastly: Peeps, when ang party? 
