THAT gospel episode where somebody in the crowd told Christ that her mother was around (cfr. Mt 12,46-50) can only tell us once again that as long as we follow the example of Mary, we too can be members of God’s family.

And what is this example of Mary? It was she who perfectly fulfills this criterion of how to be a member of God’s family. And this standard was clearly spelled out by Christ when he said, “whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Mary personifies the ideal human person who, as originally created by God in Adam and Eve, is supposed to be in the state of original justice. Thus, Mary was greeted by the Archangel Gabriel during the Annunciation as “full of grace.” But unlike our first parents, she kept that state intact all throughout her life, from her own conception in the womb of her mother, Anne, until her departure from the world.

Mary proves that man is capable of completely and perfectly identifying himself with God as God wants man to be. She definitely was given some special privileges and graces from God, but these special gifts did not spoil her like what they did to our first parents and like what we tend to fall into also.

She was ever faithful because of her deep humility, her abiding conviction that everything good comes from God and should therefore be enjoyed always with God and never without him.

Thus, during the Annunciation when it was explained to her how she was to conceive the very Son of God, she described herself in this way: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1,38)

That response of Our Lady to the archangel clearly traces the organic relation between humility and obedience to God’s will, between humility and fidelity. This humility of Our Lady was also highlighted in her Magnificat prayer when she said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.” (Lk 1,46-48)

All these considerations should tell us that if we would just have a bit of common sense, we would know that it is always wise to go to Mary in order to get to Christ. As a saint once said, Mary is the shortest, surest and safest way to be with Christ.

Let’s see to it that our devotion to her grows. And if it is practically dormant if not dead, then let’s stir it up to life again. She is important to us. In fact, she is indispensable to us. She cannot be treated as an optional feature in our spiritual life, nor something decorative or appendical only.

While she is not God and, therefore, not to be accorded with the worship that is only due to God (latria), she rightly deserves to be given the highest form of veneration (hyperdulia) among all the saints who are already with God in heaven.

She never competes nor undermines our relationship with God. If anything, all she does is to bring us to God and to help us fulfill the will of God. Thus, in that episode of the wedding at Cana where she noticed that the hosts were running out of wine, she told the servants, “Do whatever he (Christ) tells you.” (Jn 2,5)

The Airports, its schedule of flights , landing and cueing of passengers were badly affected, some online banking facilities and booking of airline tickets were hampered, too. And these realities are never the international or overseas picture, this is close to home.

Dan has his flight booked and ready on Friday 6 :45 PM, it was moved to 8:30 PM, and he was at the airport after 5:00 PM. At 11:30 in the evening the inbound flight was still on air or parked at the Airport somewhere in Singapore, Cebu, or Manila. He has a return flight at 8 AM the next day, and these thousands of pesos, were a waste of money as it would be impossible to sustain.

It was indeed a memorable yet chaotic day. When Big Tech and Industry Giant Microsoft had its outage, people and businesses were adversely affected. Many companies incurred losses, and many will be having time to regain lost trust and lost revenue.

When MS had that outage Thursday July 18, 2024 and Friday and perhaps as I am writing this today Saturday July 20,2024, it made me think of Skynet and Genisys, the companies were prominent in the Terminator Series. A movie which stars Arnold Schwarzenegger from the 1980s to 2020s. Skynet and Genisys, were names of Artificial Intelligence companies that tried to destroy the human race. Thanks be to God, the Terminator series were high octane movies of the past which is to my mind a blueprint of how humanity can be subjugated by machines or the outage of a system, it largely depends on.

For whatever its worth, we the small fishes in the large pond, were hurt, affected, and subjected to problems because Microsoft had an update, and we were paralyzed for a time.

That right there is a way to destroy a country and perhaps enslave the world. Tell me, yes tell me that it is not. Because we are actually and perhaps rightfully so, afraid!

Skipping the succeeding senate sessions after the issuance of arrest warrant caused upset not only with the senate officials and government authorities but the public as well. The suspended mayor found a good excuse from attending the senate hearings albeit unaccepted by the senate committee conducting the investigation. What the suspended mayor is doing is clearly an upfront if not an insult to our country’s legal system and processes.

After lying in the many sessions conducted by the senate committee, she now has the boldness to avoid the hearings. The public had witnessed how the suspended mayor kept repeating her incredible tale that she was homeschooled by a tutor while growing in a farm in the town where she is the present mayor. Aside from her farm life story, she too was found lying about her parents and her family. It took sometime for the senate to obtain documentary evidence that her parents were Chinese and she had siblings. The documents also showed that her mother was not the housemaid she mentioned at the outset of the senate investigation.

While the senate had been strict with other resource persons, too quick to cite in contempt those found lying, it was too kind with the suspended mayor. In many instances, the senate committee found the suspended mayor lying but had not cited her in contempt. Had the senate cited the suspended mayor in contempt on the very first instance that they found her lying, she could have been jailed long ago. It could have saved the government with the problem of looking for her this time that she disappeared. The authorities are now in a quandary trying to find leads about the whereabouts of the suspended mayor.

The noose that would have been tightened earlier is now a loophole that the suspended mayor had passed through in skipping the senate hearings. She disappeared from public view and is nowhere to be found by the authorities. Recent efforts had the authorities empty handed despite surveillance activities aimed at finding her hiding place. Raids in the farm and the buildings where online gambling operations are conducted turned negative.

Truly, kindness is sometimes abused especially if the subject recipient is one who is known for her abusive character. The fact that the suspended mayor had the capacity to use her resources to subvert the law and anything that would put her in peril should have forewarned the authorities from the outset of the investigation. She is now in hiding and the authorities are taking all collaborative efforts to locate her. Going from the different places she had access to could be a challenge to the authorities. Amid these developments, all government agencies must keep in mind that the suspended mayor owns many vehicles and a helicopter which she could easily be used in her permanent skip.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

Many years ago, life seemed to be moving slow. However, with the technology that we have today, living in a fast-paced world, it’s easy to find ourselves overwhelmed with numerous responsibilities and obligations. When our plate is full, it becomes crucial to set clear priorities and manage our time effectively. By doing so, we can maintain a healthy work-life balance, reduce stress, and achieve our goals. This article will delve into practical strategies to help you set priorities when your plate is full.

1. Assess and Define Importance:

Begin by assessing all the tasks and responsibilities on your plate. Ask yourself: What truly matters? Identify the urgent, important, and non-essential tasks. Categorize them based on their impact and relevance to your short-term and long-term goals.

2. Personal Values Alignment:
Consider your core values and align your priorities accordingly. When you focus on what truly matters to you, you can make better decisions and allocate your time and energy wisely. Ensure your priorities are in line with your personal values, giving you a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

3. Eliminate or Delegate:
Recognize that you are not Superman and cannot do everything. Identify tasks that are not essential or don’t align with your goals, and eliminate them if possible. Delegate responsibilities to trusted colleagues, family members, or professionals when appropriate. This allows you to free up time and energy for tasks that truly require your attention.

4. Time Blocking:
Implement time-blocking techniques to create a schedule that accommodates your set priorities. Allocate specific time slots for each task or responsibility, ensuring you have a structured plan for the day. Be realistic with your time estimates, leaving room for unforeseen circumstances.

If you think that you have a number of tasks to do within a day, allocate time on each time. And if you can, limit the time you spend on unnecessary things, such as talking on the phone or using social media. These are distractions that interfere with your tasks.

5. Focus on One Task at a Time:
Multi-tasking might seem tempting, but it often leads to reduced productivity and increased stress. Instead, focus on one task at a time. Give it your undivided attention and complete it to the best of your ability before moving on to the next. This allows for greater efficiency and a higher quality of work.

Multi-tasking has become common nowadays. However, this is not for everyone. Forcing yourself to do multiple tasks all at the same time affects the quality of work that you put on each task.

6. Learn to Say No:
One of the key aspects of setting priorities is learning to say no when necessary. Understand that it’s okay to decline requests or opportunities that don’t align with your priorities or will overburden your plate. Prioritize your own well-being and protect your precious time and energy.

This is one common problems among individuals who want to please others. Not being able to say “No” robs you of your precious time in accomplishing your tasks.

7. Regularly Review and Adjust:
Periodically review your priorities to ensure they are still relevant and aligned with your goals. Priorities can change as circumstances evolve, so it is essential to regularly reassess and make adjustments accordingly. Be flexible and adaptable in managing your priorities.

8. Self-Care and Balance:
Amidst a full plate, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care and maintain balance in your life. Take care of your physical and mental well-being by getting enough rest, engaging in activities you enjoy, and nurturing your relationships. Remember, taking care of yourself enables you to be more effective in managing your responsibilities.

Setting priorities when your plate is full is a skill that can greatly enhance your productivity, reduce stress, and help you lead a balanced life. By assessing importance, aligning with values, and using effective time management techniques, you can handle your obligations more effectively. Remember to regularly review and adjust your priorities, and always make time for self-care. Embrace the art of setting priorities wisely, and watch as your life becomes more focused, purposeful, and rewarding.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!