Raul Tabaranza blog

THE HIDDEN SOUL IN THE HEART OF AFRICA: My inspirations....

The topic that I am choosing is actually very common, which is also the gospel of today, the visitation of the angel to Joseph in his dream, announcing the good news of Mary’s pregnancy by the Holy spirit. It is not the feast of St. Joseph but I felt, while contemplating, that it is important to revisit our missionary life in the footsteps of St. Joseph, especially for this season. Take note that the appearance has this outline: (1) note of circumstance; (2) appearance of the angel of the Lord in a dream; (3) command of angel to Joseph; (4) explanation of command; (5) Joseph rises and obediently responds. Reflecting on this issue, first of all, there is that strange feeling in me of the Lord choosing vulnerable people, to be His parents. There is that young maiden and the silent Joseph. The point is that Jesus has his origin in God, in fulfillment of a prophecy, yet chose simple and vulnerable people to give Him light. This is just a feeling, but I am also trying to connect it on

I am choosing the gospel today for our recollection. It is not something new and the interpretations are always given to us in depth. But I just thought of exploring the gospel, hoping to find its meaning in our lives and how it would change the course of our life. To help you understand better, it is good to read the gospel again… GOSPEL (MARK 5:1-20) I would be basing also of its parallel gospels in Matthew 8:28-34 and Luke 8:26-39. I would be pointing out 5 aspects that I have seen in the text. Again, they are not very new to us, but let us just be open, hoping that they would ignite in us some sparks of light. 1. AUTHORITY: The gospel first of all reveals the inner authority of Jesus and His life of prayer. Jesus as we know rises early in the morning to pray; and seeks for a secluded place in the evening to pray. The authority of Jesus is clearly manifested in His words and actions. He has a voice of His own, as He expelled the demon from the man. Today, demonic p

I woke up with another strange dream; I saw my nails growing long, though they look nice. By instinct, I cut my fingernails, and I saw them dropping on the floor and they disappeared. It was on this process of cutting my fingernails that I woke up. I stayed for a while, reflecting what my dream meant. Our nails can tell us a great deal more. To dream of fingernails represents thoughts and feelings about your self-worth, confidence, accomplishments, and self-image. The condition of nails reflects how positive or negative you feel about yourself. To dream of having fingernails totally removed represents having no self-worth. Your confidence has been totally decimated. Anything that would allow you to feel good or build confidence is beyond your grasp. Nails or Fingernails represent Strength and Victory. Fingernails in a dream represent victory over one's enemy. Having long fingernails for someone who needs them for his or her work in a dream means prosperity. Long fingernails

THE LESSON OF ANANIAS Siguro maramami ang di nakakaalam kung sino si Saul at Paulo. Napakaganda ng ipinamahagi ng ating basahin ngayon, sa Acts of the Apostles 9. May dalawa lamang na characters ngayon, si Ananaias at si Saul. Kilala si Saul na very notorious, walang pinatawad sa mga sumusunod ni Kristo, ipinadakip niya sila, ipinipreso at ang iba ay ipinatay. In fact, si Saulo ang nag approve para sa kamatayan ni San Esteban. Noong natanggap ni Saulo ang sulat, na pwede niyang dakpin ang mga Kristyanos, umalis kaagad siya papuntang Damascus upang hulihin ang mga Kristyanos. Ngunit habang nasa daan siya papuntang Damascus, nagkaroon ng drama ang kanyang buhay, na siyang simula ng kanyang pagbabago o conversion. Nakita niya ang isang napakaliwanang na ilaw/bola, at tinawag siya ni Hesus at sinabi: Saulo Saulo bakit pinapahirapan mo ako? In short, bakit nilutos ni Saulo ang mga sumusunod ni Kristo? Dahil sa sobrang liwanang, naging bulag si Saulo, at sinabihan siya ni Hesus na