R.

D R

E. INTEGRATION

AWN MASS

EFLECTIONS

Submitted by: Mary Gwenjelynne A. Koh Submitted to: Mr. Diomedes, Delfin Jr.

Theme: KAGAWASON SA RELIHIYON HINUSGAHAN SA HUSTISYA SA SIBILISASYON Sharer: Ludi Capilitan Reflection:

The theme in the mass was very meaningful. It tells us how our faith is becoming weaker because of our selfishness, greediness and because of materialism. Everything we do now is based on the laws and what the society tells us to do and not on based on our conscience and what God wants us to do. We forgot everything what God has taught us. All we just think about is how to become rich, money and fame. We even do things to the extent of doing bad things which the sharer has shared to us. She had a beautiful career as a cosmetic adviser; everything in her life was planned. She got pregnant on her second child but that wasnt part of the plan and she has to maintain her figure because of her chosen career and she made to the point of thinking to abort the child. Luckily she didnt because her mind was enlightened and she thanked God that her baby was normal. This is just one example of how we people end up being greedy and how money blinds us all. We people are never contented with what we have. In the society today, the trend is that more people and most likely teenagers have an attitude of socialero/socialera. All they think is how to become rich to be able to buy all those luxuries things that they ever dreamed of. People today are becoming more materialistic. Its sad to know that the trend today takes us all away from God and weakens our faith in Him. I will not deny that Im also fond of buying and buying things. I wanted braded clothes, bags, shoes etc. I cant say that Im materialistic because in my definition, materialistic means you would do everything just to have that thing and I havent got to that point and hopefully will never get to that point. Im lucky that I am raised by my parents well. My mother always reminds me that material things are not important. She constantly reminds me of our faith. I keep on dreaming of having all the things that I want and I realized that maybe God doesnt want me to have everything because if that would be the case, I would maybe forget about Him and just be locked by the material things in the world. We have to think that we cannot bring the material things that we have in Heaven. Materials wont provide us eternal happiness; nothing would give us eternal happiness except God. We should be aware of what were doing, start to reflect, and start to get over with the material things. We shouldnt let the society influence us. Who cares what the trend is now. The important thing is that we live truly to our faith and only God can judge us.

Theme: DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION Sharer: Bob Rico Reflection:

This theme has struck me and one of the themes I agree the most. I agree with this because communication is really important. In whatever kind of relationship we have, good communication is the basic need and foundation. There are a lot of misunderstandings because of the lack of good communication. For example, in what the sharer had told, the different religions in the past has been arguing because of the claim of whose religion is the righteous one and the one who will be saved. This has lead to many misunderstandings or wars but because of the dialogue between religions, this claim has been solved. The different religions had agreed to respect each other and there would be no misunderstandings regarding the righteous religion. Through communication, we can solve whatever problems and misunderstandings we have. In our family, we have good communications. My mother is open to us and keeps on communicating with us and she guides us well through proper communication. In my case, I had a boyfriend when I was in fourth year high school and both my parents agreed to let me have a boyfriend. For them, its alright for me to engage in that kind of relationship as long as I wouldnt keep a secret from them and that I would be open to them. They also let me have a boyfriend because they said that nowadays, you cant stop the teenagers in having relationships because it is part of their life and that open communication would guide me in my relationship. For me, this decision really helped me. I became open with my parents especially to my mom and she guides me well in handling relationship and keeps on reminding me that I should prioritize my studies first because there are a lot of men in this world and there would be two things I can be proud of and would be a gift to my future husband; my education and virginity. So I always keep that in mind and it really proves that good communication can really help.

Theme: BEYOND HATRED AND PREJUDICE Sharer: Ms. Lucy de Vera Reflection:

Our world today has been flooded with lots of problems. There is constant war in the Middle East and other parts of the world. You can see hatred in those peoples eyes whose involved in wars. Even in small communities, we can see people hating each other, back fighting neighbours and many more. Even the smallest misunderstandings create big problems and that is because of the pride of people around us. Even in the members of the family, you can see other family with members who hate each other. People today have little patience and narrow understanding. People today are really becoming judgemental and fond of gossiping on other peoples lives. There are a lot of media influences and many are bad influences. The society today slowly forgets the values and teachings of God to us. They are becoming fond of material things and money that they dont mind hurting other people as long as they get what they want. In our family, I havent encountered one member who hated the other member because of misunderstandings. I and my sisters fight often because of the small misunderstandings we have but we never hated each other. My mom would scold us if they see or hear us fighting. She would constantly remind us to love each other and help each other because there would be no other people who can help and love us except our family. Of course small misunderstandings can never be really ignored but we never hate each other. Sometimes, after we fight, we laugh at what we have done and ask for forgiveness. If the people would only reflect and pray, this world would be a better place. If only people would remove hatred in their hearts, there would be no war and killings that would happen. Hatred doesnt help a person. It only damages a person. Hatred is a very powerful emotion that can lead to destruction of a person and a bigger community. We should start remove hatred and be more understanding. We should help each other and love each other.

Theme: LIVING IN LOVE AND IN TRUTH Sharer: Edwardo Cortesiano Reflection:

This theme is really a meaningful and what people should really do. Love is a very strong and powerful emotion that can either make or break a person depending on how she/he uses it. Love, everything would be perfect and our world would be peaceful if everyone would love each other as he/she loves himself/herself. The commandment of God is to love your neighbours as you love yourself. God showed us and teaches us of unconditional love. He is the great example of love. He sacrificed His own Son just to save us to our sins and here we are again, living in sins. There are also a lot of lies in this world. People never get tired of lying just to excuse their selves in whatever wrong doings they have done. Small or big lies, its still the same, they are lies. Lies that we have lived through our lives and became part of what we are. There are only few people who you can trust in this world and the sad part is that even your family whom you trust the most is the one that betrays you. There are lot of news about family members who kill each other because of misunderstandings. Im lucky that God had given me my family. I know my family is not perfect but for me, it is the best family. We are not that rich but I know we are bound by our love for each other. We care and love each other. Love unites us all. It makes this family happy and strong. Lies can leave a big impact and can ruin relationship. There is one significant event in our family that nearly tear us apart. It was when my father had other woman. My mother was hurt badly and my father lied and it affected us all. I thought we would break apart but my mother forgave my father for what he had done and we became stronger, but my mothers trust to my father was not as full trust compare when he had not done it. The lesson there was that there would be no lie that can be hidden and that lies can break or weaken relationships. Love and truth are like twins, if you love, you would do anything just to be as truthful as you can be. Love is the very foundation of living in peace. If you love truthfully, everything else would follow. Learn how to love unconditionally and you will live the best life you ever had.

Theme: MARY MODEL OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND MUTUAL RESPECT, AS THEPATH TO PEACE Sharer: Fe Lanete Reflection:

Mama Mary has shown us a lot of values and she is the perfect model of simplicity, humility, obedience, faith and love. She has shown us how deep her faith and love in God. She accepted whatever God wants her to do with all her heart. She accepted the greatest task of all and that is to become the mother of Jesus Christ. Without her, we would never be saved. She is free from all sins and the virgin mother of Jesus. She is a model for all women and should be followed by women. She is perfect example of how human can be incorrupt and be obedient to God. She showed us that human can be capable of having unconditional love and deep faith. She has a great respect to God and trusts His will and give all her life serving Him. I adore Mama Mary so much. In fact, I wanted to be like her but I am not close to becoming like her. She is perfect in many ways. She is an intersection between God and us and I believe that she can help us towards salvation. She never doubted Gods love and plan for her and us. I greatly admire and respect her. She teaches us on becoming faithful. I feel at east whenever I think and pray to her. She is like a mother comforting me. Whenever I think of her, I would feel like she is hugging me and there she is by my side ready to protect me. I am one of devotee and I am very glad that we have the same birth date at least we have a common thing. If we only live like mother Mary, we would feel peace outside and within our hearts and souls. It is hard to be like her but at least we should try to become one.