Mercy Cafe: Purity in a Wild Wild World

I am the vine and you are the branches.

- John 15:5  

When I joined Youth for Christ (YFC) in 2007, we had a 100% Pure advocacy program which empowered me to live a life of chastity and to avoid drugs, smoking, and drinking (see the poster here). I understand that these ideas are contradictory to what is "in" or popular among young adults my age. Even before I joined YFC, I already felt there was something empty with how I lived my wild adolescent life. I wanted to live for something greater. I wanted a change in my life. And who best to challenge, change, and mold me but Christ?

It's been 7 years in my journey with Him in a Catholic community and he truly has changed things for me. He has changed my heart. He radically changed my life. 

This month's edition (August) of Mercy Cafe was a refresher for me as the topic is about Purity in a Wild Wild World, something which has been advocated to me since my younger days in the community.  

The event started with some welcoming remarks from Sky Ortigas of CBCP and an opening prayer by brother Jhonsen of Singles for Christ.

Opening remarks by Sky

Opening prayer led by Jhonsen

The first activity was a game wherein we were to enumerate organizations founded by Fr. George Willmann, SJ. Surprisingly, I was able to answer and win a CD and a shirt!

Participants enjoying the game.

And the winner gets a shirt.

Here's what I won.

For the talk, the speaker was Mr. Edwin Lopez, the International Manager of EWTN Asia Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Tito Edwin discussed the topic of Purity in a different and unique perspective. He zeroed in on the term Self-knowledge. He proposed that if a person has Self-knowledge and knows his or her worth, then the decision to live a life of purity would come naturally for the person because Chastity is a by-product of self-knowledge.

Edwin Lopez of EWTN.

Lord help me know myself

As St. Augustine wrote, "Lord Jesus, let me know thyself and know thee" (see complete prayer here). Sometimes we have to ask ourselves, sino ba ako? Who am I? What is my truest identity?

I personally define Self-knowledge simply as knowing my truest identity. And how do I know my truest identity? By seeing myself as Christ sees me.

Tito Edwin shared a passage from John 15:5 in which Jesus said "I am the vine and you are the branches." This means we are a part of Christ and apart from him, we cannot know who we really are. 

Obtaining Self-knowledge needs our cooperation too because it comes from both His grace and our decision to work with Him.

Tito Edwin with the participants.

You are worth more than that

Jesus is said that it is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to merit heaven (Matthew 19:24). Well, Tito Edwin said it is not really bad to be rich. Even King David, the beloved of God, owned vasts lands and riches. But what sets him apart was that he was not defined by his wealth. Even if he was rich, he did not let it get to him but he used it to further the mission God gave him. He was charitable with his wealth.  


Tito Edwin reminded us that our worth is more than our physical appearance, fame, reputation, money, and possessions. It is a pity that many people still have their lives defined by these worldly things. If we too are hinged on these things, it will be hard for us to know our truest self. 

Unless you know what defines you, it's hard to be chaste.


It is only through love that we know our deepest selves and fulfill our mission. In the end of this earthly journey, He will only ask "How much did you love?"

"In the end of this earthly journey, He will only ask 'How much did you love?'

Attain Self-knowledge through CARE

Tito Edwin discussed an acronym that could help us attain full self-knowledge. CARE means...

C - onfession

A - doration

R - osary

E - ucharist

He said that a daily devotion to Adoration, Rosary, and the Eucharist and a weekly devotion to Confession can help us know who we truly are.

He challenged us to constantly practice these four activities because practice makes permanent. Also, he insisted that virtue lies outside one's comfort zone. I believe this statement is true. We have to challenge ourselves to get out of our comfort zones to develop firm virtues rooted in Christ.

Lastly, he said "Let others see you change." Sometimes, when we want to be our best selves, our peers may jeer at us but he challenged us to just let them see you. Maybe in their witness of the change in your life, they would want to know themselves better too.

"Let others see you change"

I am my cross

Tito Edwin gave a special advice to us married couples to remind ourselves "I am my cross." 

Sometimes when I fight with my husband, I tend to think that he is the problem or he is my cross. However, Tito Edwin challenged us to change this way of thinking. My husband is not my cross. I am my cross and I can choose to change how I react to the situation. The problem could be resolved not by attacking the other but by improving how I respond to my spouse. 

At the end of the talk, the organizers gave Tito Edwin a Mercy Cafe shirt for his awesome sharing and lecture. His American friend from EWTN also gave a little sharing about how awesome his life is as a father of 10 children in the United States. 

Sky thanking Edwin Lopez.

Edwin Lopez posing with his new shirt.

Our visitor from EWTN shared about his experience as a parent of 10 kids in the US.

Here is a sneak peek at the merienda they gave us. They served pasta, sandwiches, and iced tea. We also enjoyed their choco almond cheesecake, that was teeming with almonds. Yum!

Our snacks.

Being pure in a wild, wild world is not a piece of cheesecake.

Contemplating on purity in a wild, wild world over sweets and coffee.

I hope you enjoyed reading my notes. And I sure do hope we see each other on September 20, 2014 for the 8th Mercy Cafe session, again at Grills N Sizzles, Examiner Street, Quezon City! If you are interested to join, please check out the Mercy Cafe Facebook page  today!

Freebies!

Love, 

The Catholic Chic

5 Ways to Live Your Life to the Fullest

My Notes on Fr. Joel Jason's Talk at the Mercy Cafe

We love because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19

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Last weekend, the Mercy Cafe hosted its 6th talk entitled La Vita e Bella at the Grills N' Sizzles bar at Examiner street, Quezon City. 

The invited speaker was Rev. Fr. Joel Jason, the Dean of Studies of the San Carlos Graduate School of Theology. 

This workshop was very timely because I am also in search of how I could live my life to the full. This workshop gave a fresh perspective because rather than suggesting the usual traveling, rock climbing, or bungee jumping advices I got from other blogs on how to live my life to the full, it targeted my inner self, my heart, and my soul. Here are my notes on the discussion. Fr. Joel started with the 5 Signs You are NOT Living Life to the Full (or you are Dying Spiritually), each followed by specific steps on how to live life to the fullest. Happy reading friends!

Participants with Rev. Fr. Joel Jason

5 Signs You are NOT Living Life to the Full

Sign 1. When Church Services bore you.

When we become bored during our prayer time, worship, doing service in the parish, and most especially when celebrating the Eucharist, chances are we are not focusing on Christ but ourselves. God becomes a rival or competitor in our "Me" attitude. 

When we realize that God is not our competitor, then worship becomes joyful and becomes our life. And when we worship, we become more alive.

There are instances when our ego or the self, fears its disappearance when we surrender ourselves to God. However, Fr. Joel reminded us of the Theodrama of reincarnation, that when the Creator comes to the creature, the creature will be brought to a fuller life. It is a kind of life that the creature cannot achieve on its own power.

How to combat sign 1: Make your work your worship.

Work here pertains to everything you do, from waking up in the morning, brushing your teeth, eating breakfast - everything! It includes your thoughts, desires, words, and actions. 

There should be no separation of what we say from what we do. We have to live our faith. Our whole life will become our worship and we will weld our life to glorifying God even in the simplest, most mundane tasks.  

Make your meal times your worship.

Sign 2. When Noise attracts you more than Silence.

All of us need our silent or alone time. 

According to Fr. Joel, silence is the language of God and of love. We hear His messages to us more clearly when we sit in silence with Him a few minutes a day. 

We speak more calmly with others too if we are at peace with them. If you prefer noise more than silence, then there is a certain possibility that you fear hearing the voice of your own heart and what you truly feel inside.

How to combat this: Give yourself the "Silent Treatment" once a week

Try to not use your cellphone or refrain from going online in your social media accounts. Once you are comfortable hearing the sound of silence, then you are ready to live life fully.

Q & A with the speaker.

Sign 3. When the words of a celebrity attract you more than the words of Christ.

Do you have social media accounts? Check out who you are following. If you prefer to follow more secular accounts than Christian or Catholic accounts, then maybe you need to refocus where you're getting your inspiration and guidance from. 

Maybe it's time to refocus on Christ.


How to combat this: When you voluntarily immerse yourself in the word of God daily (i.e. Bible and the daily readings).

Remember to feed your soul with God's word daily. Your soul needs that most. If we put God's word in our hearts, then sin will have no place in it and evil will not have a hold on our hearts. 

Remember Christ was tempted in the desert three times and he used scripture three times to combat the evil one (Activity: Read Deutoronomy and search for Christ's responses).

Christ has the words of eternal life and words have the power to describe and CREATE reality. Let Christ create your reality. Be immersed in His words (Activity: Read Psalm 118 and be inspired).

Let Christ create your reality and Live a Most Beautiful Life.

Sign 4. When Ambition attracts you more than Mission.

Ambition points to the glorification of the self while Mission aims for the welfare of others. 

Is your ambition consistent with your mission? Is your ambition aimed for service? Do you work for money or out of love for your neighbor? Once our ambitions conquer our life and we neglect to serve others, maybe it's time to do a little rain check and refocus on what really matters.

How to combat this: Perform your profession in the Spirit of Mission.

No matter what our profession is, let's see it as a way for us to become Christ to others. Perform your best out of love.

CFC Full-time pastoral workers enjoying the talk.

Sign 5.  When the Story of the Cross no longer moves you.

When the story of the sufferings of Christ no longer stir us, then how can we become true sufferers with Christ? 

Remember as Christians, we are to die to ourselves for the sake of our brethren. We put them first before our selfish needs.

How to combat this: Acknowledge your God-given gifts and talents, then give them away.

How can I be a true sufferer with Christ? 

The best way to live with Christ is to share our talents with others. All of us have gifts and talents, whether we believe it or not. Always remember that every gift is meant to be given away. Our lives are temporal and the way we share in the glory of the cross is to also share what we have and who we are for the betterment of the lives of others.

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I hope you enjoyed reading my notes. And I sure do hope we see each other on August 9, 2014 for the 7th Mercy Cafe session again at Grills N Sizzles, Examiner Street, Quezon City!

Full-time workers at the Couples for Christ Global Mission Center take a picture with Fr. Joel.

CFC full-time pastoral workers with the host of the event, Mary (rightmost), who is also a CFC full-time worker.

The next Mercy Cafe (session 7) will be on August 9, 2014. If you are interested to join, please check out their Facebook page: Mercy Cafe.

Thank you and May God be with you!