Follow God with Teresa Podcast

07/09/2024

"The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord keeps all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy." Psalm 145:18-20

01/09/2024

"For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?" - Deuteronomy 4:7

This verse is from the First Reading today.

What a beautiful reminder, especially to us Filipinos?

Today, let us pause and remember the many times that God heard our prayers and cries to Him.

And as we remember them, let us allow gratitude, praise, worship, love and hope fill our hearts.

It's the first day of a new month, September.

In the Philippines, many people are already anticipating the Lord Jesus' birth.

Let us look forward with hope and with hearts filled with love and thanksgiving for our God who is EMMANUEL, with us and close to us.

Moreover, let us confidently call to our Good God for our needs today.

Have a blessed Sunday, friends!

24/08/2024

We do not work to be recognized. We work because God called us to help in spreading the Good News and making others see the light of salvation. - Sabbath

St. Philip & Bartholomew, pray for us. Help us to bring others to Christ.

21/08/2024

Today's Psalm:

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.

Do you also want to be refreshed? Turn to the Good Shepherd.

Do you want to be led to the right path? Follow the Good Shepherd.

Are you sick? Go to Him for anointing.

Do you want goodness and kindness to follow you all the days of your life? Choose to abide in God and to visit Him often in His house.

21/08/2024

“We must be ever thankful for small miracles, and ever hopeful for receiving greater ones.” (Elmer Schultz)

09/08/2024

What are you denying yourself today so you can take up your cross and follow Christ?

31/07/2024

Sharing this for fellow Catholics to watch.

This is not a time to be lukewarm. Remember that God will spit out those who are lukewarm.

We either STAND WITH JESUS, OUR LORD or with the world.
Pray fervently and consistently to be able to recognize the voice of God in your hearts and to be attuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Only through prayer can we recognize the warnings of the Holy Spirit and our guardian angels about the evil around us.

Let us not be deceived and conformed to the ways of the world. We, Christians, ought to stand out as lights in this dark world. Conforming will dim our light. Let your hearts burn passionately for Jesus!

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26/07/2024

Sharing this old reflection on one of Jesus' parables.

From Smallest to Largest

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.” – Matthew 13:31-32

Last year, among the big dreams I wrote in my Novena to God’s Love booklet was to write a new e-book, launch it in Amazon, enter it in the Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards’ e-books category, and win an award. But I wasn’t able to work on the book for months. I was busy homeschooling my kids, working on my HR consulting business, and managing our household.

I was about to give up on my dream when God moved me to sit down and write one day. I finished the e-book in one sitting. It also became number one in Amazon during its virtual global launch and won the e-book category at the Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards in 2019.

All I had was a little faith to dream big. But our God specializes in making the tiniest seeds grow into the largest of plants. Cooperate with Him to turn your seemingly impossible dreams into reality.

~ Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag ([email protected]), Didache, 7262021

reflect

How is God calling you now to express your faith? What is the big picture or vision He has revealed to you and asks you to pursue in faith?

Lord Jesus, help me to grow in faith. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight.

Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us.

***

For me, God is calling me to express my faith now by working on the illustrations of my upcoming children's book. With the little faith and skill that I have, I started illustrating the pages and by the grace, mercy & favor of God, I'm down to the last 2 spreads. Glory to God!

08/07/2024

While Jesus was saying these things to them, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.

A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. (Mt 9:18-25)

May we have the kind of faith that this father and this woman in the Gospel today had. Faith that will move God to do the impossible in our lives.

A blessed week to all!

01/07/2024

In today's Gospel, a scribe says to Jesus, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

Today, as Christians, let us ask ourselves if we can say these words with all of our hearts, minds and souls to Jesus.

Do we understand the level of commitment that we need to have to live out these words?

May the Lord Jesus Christ grant us the graces that we need to mean these words of commitment to Him and to faithfully live them out in our lives.

A blessed Monday and week ahead, friends in Christ!

30/06/2024

In today's Gospel, Jesus ask Jairus to not be afraid and just have faith despite the fact that the situation around him was so gloomy and he is surrounded by people who were telling him that her daughter has already died. It seemed that his situation was beyond hope and help.

But NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD and to those who have faith in Him.

Today, let us ask ourselves what we are currently afraid of.

What circumstances in our lives cause us to be afraid?

How is God asking us to have faith?

Let's pray to God that He would grant us the grace that we need to have faith against all odds just like Jairus.

27/06/2024

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’ “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” Matthew 7:21-27

Are we doing the will of God or are we simply calling Him "Lord" but not really surrendering our lives to Him?

Have we made Jesus and His teachings the rock of our lives?

Surely, we do not want to be turned away by Him at heaven's gates.

Let us strive to be true followers of Jesus. Striving to obey ALL his commands and doing the Father's will just like Jesus.

26/06/2024

Are we easily convinced, especially by the popular and powerful?

Jesus warns us about false prophets.

Do we test what we read or hear?

Do we use God's Word to test the truth of what we read or hear from others and those who claim to be God's messengers?

Let us not be easily deceived.

The enemy uses false prophets to lead people astray.

26/06/2024

Inspired by the exegesis on the Gospel from the Hallow app.

Dogs or swines are those who after the Word of God or the Gospel is shared with them not only reject the Word of God, but also attack God's messengers who bring it to them.

Examples of these are Queen Jezebel who got mad at the Prophet Elijah and even planned to kill him as well as Herodias who was so mad at St. John the Baptist for pointing our her sin and Herod's sin of adultery and thus had John killed.

Are we like dogs and swines who reject God's Word and even attack God's messengers?

Jesus tells His disciples or followers not to waste their time and the Word of God on those who do not want to listen to them.

These people do not value God's Word or the time and effort of His followers.

It is better for Jesus' followers to leave these people who do not want to listen to them and find other people who will welcome God's Word and value the Word of God shared by them.

As Jesus' followers, let us discern where God is calling us to serve Him by preaching His Word.

25/06/2024

Which road have you chosen?

Have you chosen the wide and easy road or the the narrow and difficult road?

Are you among the many or among the few?

Popular choices often lead to the wide and easy road. But where does it lead you?

The road less travelled may be narrow and difficult, but it is the road that leads to eternal life.

Remember, you are really never alone when you walk the narrow road. Jesus walks beside you. He is all you need to keep on walking this road that will lead you home.

24/06/2024

Today is the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.

He was named John by his parents, which means God is gracious and merciful.

How about you? Do you know the meaning of your name?

Are you living the truth or meaning of your name?

Do you know that God had a purpose for our lives when He created us?

Have you discovered God's purpose for your life?

21/06/2024

In today's Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." Matthew 6:19-21

Have you asked yourself what your greatest treasure is?

What does your heart value the most?

Do you value material things over spiritual things?

Do you value the approval of people over the approval of God?

Do you value worldly happiness over holiness?

You spend the most time working on your greatest treasure.

What do you spend most of your time on?

What do you do to protect your greatest treasure?

As we end another work week, it would be good to pause and ask ourselves these important questions.

16/06/2024

The Heart of a father is found in the heart of God.

"In order for a man to be the kind of father that his children need, a man must understand what kind of father God is to his children."

A good man obtains favor from the Lord. - Proverbs 12:2

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all fathers!

St. Joseph, pray for all fathers.

15/06/2024

Do we have "palabra de honor" or word of honor?

Can people rely on our word?

Do people believe us when we say YES or NO?

People will believe us only if we consistently live by our word.

But if we are like the boy who cried wolf, it would be hard for people to trust our word. If that's the case, we need to earn their trust again.

Jesus said, "Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no."

Let us mean what we say and give credibility to our words through our actions.

This is a big challenge for us who call ourselves CHRISTians. May the power of the Holy Spirit enable us to live out the teachings of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. That way, we would be credible witnesses.

14/06/2024

Commentary on today's Gospel from Kerygma Family.

"Christ teaches us that purity of thought and action is critical to our s*xuality. If we allow our passions to overcome our reason, they will inevitably lead us to sin. If we control our s*xual appetite, then we will grow stronger in the grace of purity and learn to love in a wholesome way. Let us avoid places and situations that tempt us to be impure. May we grow to love others in a pure and self-emptying fashion."

13/06/2024

In today's First reading, we read how Elijah prayed fervently for rain. he did not stop or get discouraged even if repeatedly he checked and there was still no cloud. He simply kept praying in faith.

Do we also follow Elijah's example?

Or do we give up easily or give in to despair when our prayers seem go unnoticed or unanswered?

May we learn to persevere in prayer and faith just like the Prophet Elijah.

11/06/2024

Sharing the Gospel today from Matthew 5:13-16.

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Are you willing to be used by God to be His salt and light in the world?

Will you courageously carry Jesus' light in these darkened times?

Or will you hide the truth that will enlighten others because you are afraid to lose their favor?

Choose well whose spokeperson you want to be? Will you campaign for God or Satan?

09/06/2024

In the Gospel today, a crowd seated around Jesus told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

If we confess that we are Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, do we echo and live out Jesus' teachings?

For example, Jesus said, “Haven’t you read... that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them MALE and FEMALE,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” - Matthew 19:4-6 NIV

He said further, "Because of your hard hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives. It was not like that from the beginning. And I say to you, whoever DIVORCES his wife, except for s*x sins, and marries another, is GUILTY of s*x sins in marriage. Whoever marries her that is divorced is guilty of s*x sins in marriage.” - Matthew 19:8-9 NIV

06/06/2024

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Watch this video to find out why.

Tomorrow, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the 1st Friday of the month.

Let us go to Mass and adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/GUQLvrz9WxF9YSHB/?mibextid=oFDknk

30/05/2024

Are you now at midlife? Make time to pause and reflect on your life.

Read my latest blog post about my experience at the Midlife Spirituality Retreat with the Cenacle Retreat House (Philippines).

The year 2023 has been an an exceptionally busy year for me. I wrote about one of the reasons for my busyness last year in this blog post. Thus, at the start o

30/05/2024

Sharing with you today's Gospel from Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

26/05/2024

See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you. May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you. - Psalm 33:18-22

I know, Lord, that those who hope on You do not hope in vain. You are our help and shield. You hear us when we call to You for help. You are our everpresent help in times of need.

Thank you, Lord Jesus!

24/05/2024

“Marriage is to help married people sanctify themselves and others.”

- Saint Josemaria Escriva

24/05/2024

What does Jesus say about divorce? He said it clearly in today's Gospel.

"But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” 10 In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” Mark 10:6-12

Let us continue to pray that the Divorce Bill would not be passed into law in the Philippines and that more couples would take Jesus' words seriously and abide in it.

15/05/2024

"The truth is not always the same as the majority decision.” (St. Pope John Paul II)