Talitha's Faith

I seek to be inspired. I pray for growth thru silence; the world is too noisy.

[talithasfaith]

Simple prose for a remarkable day 🙏🏻

[talithasfaith]

Eternal sunshine

ever present, ever near

open our curtain wide

and let Thy light shine in

bathe us with your goodness

in this gloomy days

and trying time.

[talithasfaith]

Mary-ful

It is Advent season and Christmas is around the corner.

It feels as though I owe my myself the tellings of gushing thoughts, feelings and emotions I contained for the past months since that wonderful time I spent during the Camino de Santiago walk in Spain. Also, the recent trip I took with my family to the Philippines. 

I am hopeful that the joy of writing never leaves, so I may relish in words all the wonderful experiences I have had and share them.

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10th of December 2019

I am at my parents’ Last night we heard mass at St Gerard’s for the feast of Our Lady Of Immaculate Conception. Ah, what a joyous moment! The service was held in Latin and though my parents and I knew little of the words and responses, our spirit were overjoyed as humble participants to the wonderful sacrament of the Eucharist being held in such reverence and authenticity. Nostalgia took a root in my heart as I hear the words I knew little of but fully understood. The beautiful irony of learnt knowledge and deep seated wisdom! Then Father spoke of the Grace and Holiness of Mary--the first witness of Christmas. As it was to her that God revealed his true self and made flesh. I am a Marian pilgrim and hearing the beautiful string of words about Mary from the pew of the church transported me to all the Marian places I have been privileged to travel to over the years; from Lourdes in France to Guadalupe in Mexico to Fatima in Portugal. 

I thank you my Dear Mary. The Mother of All Graces. The bearer of all Good.

[talithasfaith]

Day one in Galacia

3rd sun of September 2019, Sarria

This morning I woke up gently with the slowness of time that was in and around me. I had a decent breakfast and was fueled to explore the town at my own pace. An extra day was needed before I start my Camino tomorrow. I am please I made this time to arrange things well and organised, and not rush.

Physically, I feel okay too; eating and sleeping well since I landed a couple days ago.

My overnight stay at Madrid was blessedly rewarded by hearing mass at the church near my hotel. It was a lovely welcome and righty so.

I prayed and wished that I see the Divine in every moment I spend here in Spain. To see the spiritual beyond the sensible; pass my little understanding and to gain wisdom. To befriend her. To journey with humility and openness, and to relish every moment of my time with a lighter heart to be filled gently so I may trace my origin back to the Divine. And to give the utmost goodness I have that solely fountained from Him, for Him.

Buen camino

[talithasfaith]

P i l g r i m

Perhaps, we too must travel deeply. Flung our spirits farther than we could think possible. Plant our soul’s sole unto meadows and green lands of unknown wilderness our hearts’ eyes and minds could only see. 

Perhaps we must journey on roads we’ll find hard for words of retelling. Walk on paths seldom touched by human soles, smile at crowd but not be drawn to them. And relish the joy of walking a l o n e .

[talithasfaith]

S e r v a n t s

Last week, I have fulfilled, rather successfully, another week-long of the overnight shift at work. My profession, a tremendous gift I continue to uphold, consist of after hour shifts most people find challenging. Yet somehow, I have developed a resilience that my dislike of it has become a mere shallow complaint. I have had enjoyed the privilege of working alone and for the most part, have accomplished quite humbly.

Coming to my fourth shift, I did, however, felt slightly unwell. Perhaps due to the lack of rest, my already sleep-deprived body was experiencing. In addition to the hosting and touring of my family’s relatives that have come to visit from overseas. I took them to the Cathedral on the way home to my parents. My heart knew that it has to be their first stop and to have the church’s doors still open after sunset at our arrival was another gift from the Spirit bestowed upon the religious. I pondered, “Who would have thought this time would come, that I will be touring my relatives whom I last saw over ten years ago from our humble town in the central Philippines. Here with me now, in my second home, the remarkable city of Melbourne?” I find, like them, perhaps I too was in need of a spiritual reminder. Simply an observant to the plan the Divine has set out.  Indeed, Gratefulness was the language spoken that day.

When we left the Philippines, we left our home and almost everything with it. But not the most essential, the most crucial of all -- Faith. This and everything good that comes with it came with us. And sometimes, when we get so carried away with the mundane details of our daily lives, we tend to forget how astonishing our beliefs and spiritual awareness works in our lives. So God sends out reminders through people or circumstances to awaken our inner senses. To refresh our lives with the newness of His unceasing mercy.

In the meadows of the Sacred is where our refuge rests. Meanwhile, may we pilgrim with open hearts and minds, to share readily the gifts of our abundance.

[talithasfaith]

Early morning light and a little creativity. Happy Monday x

[talithasfaith]

Cor Meum

Sacred Heart, Thy burning flame

The divine presence who liveth within.

Be my fervour and strength 

The perfect love, my heavenly kin.

[talithasfaith]

Blooms I was pleasantly happy to see on my little walk around the neighborhood

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R e f u g e

Hold close the good in me

the holy that I so often forget

the part that I should uphold and keep safe

this window of my soul. 

For the world is full of empty promises

where your voice is seldom heard,

where your light is dimmed forget

where true rest doesn't exist.

Yet you reside and make a home 

in every living thing

so then dear God, let me not tire in seeking You.

Refresh my spirit anew

[talithasfaith]

The Mysteries of Light

Tonight, I pray the rosary. And the depth of my soul was filled. Oh my Blessed Mother what a pure joy you are!

Saying the words, with you, I imagine how I would be if you are next to me, seated on the edge of my bed, gently combing my hair, as I tell you how my day was. And your heart melting away as I speak to you like a child--full of excitement. At the end of each sentence, I would look up to your beautiful face and find you smiling. You always look happy and radiant.

Then with your gentle voice, you’ll say, “Oh my dear child. I will never tire listening to your stories. Know that my ears and heart are yours to keep. I am with you always.”

[talithasfaith]

L i t

We must let God 

fan the tiny spark of flame in our hearts

so we may glow brighter and radiant 

than we do so on our own. 

[talithasfaith]

Easter candle gift. Home.

[talithasfaith]

K e y n o t e

Anzac Day

Today, we bid farewell to a quiet virtuous man of faith, Roger. I knew him from choir at church where he plays the organ and we sing. Few given times it’s just me or John yet having Roger with us always made us feel comfortable. His music was his gift. Every Saturday vigil mass, without fail, Roger is there. And always the first one to arrive. His dedication and humility is admirable. 

I will greatly miss him.

His funeral service was beautiful. The singing, music and the faith of the community at church and beyond that have had known him was clearly felt. It was warm and thoughtful and humbling. Just like he was.

I couldn’t help myself shed a few tears.

After the service, I lit a candle and offer prayers to Mama Mary, asking her to look after Roger’s soul. Outside the church, as I head out to my car, a lady from church whom I haven’t met before approached me and gave me a warm hug. She said how sorry she was of Roger’s passing. And without a doubt, we’ll all miss him. “Ah those Saturday vigil mass with him on the organ and your beautiful voice, my darling. It won’t be the same. What a lovely soul he was.” Hearing these words made me cry. And I did so a lot.

Dear God, welcome Roger into your arms. Keep his soul at peace. And may we continue to serve You at church, at choir the same way Roger did.

Amen.

[talithasfaith]

Love for Lent

Passion tide is over 

yet the fragrance of such sacrificial love 

with purpose only for the goodness of souls

lingers eternally. 

I for one, 

hope to always be reminded of this. 

To find the good in every detail of my life. 

Though most searching are far reached. 

[talithasfaith]

Inner Prompting

“I give you a loving hug,”dear God

up there in the air, in the midst

for though I see u not

my heart knows you are there.

And here with me.

[talithasfaith]

A b u n d a n c e

Therein lies a spring. A fountain of great joy, peace and holiness. The unceasingly great force of grace and serenity.

But not many people knew of this. They simply go on about their days collecting water from other wells. They do this unknowingly, conditioned by the world around them.

Yet only the fountain of spring from within can quench the thirst they are feeling.

Only they possess the water that is alone good for them.

Only if they knew of this.