In His Embrace

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Panunumpa

Why am I thinking of Panunumpa on a night like this? I don't know. I was trying to figure out just how God seems to be letting things flow in my life today in a direction that's so totally different from where I thought I was headed just a month or two ago. And it was within this context of trying to reach within my heart that I suddenly remembered the refrain of this song. "...at mapapawi ang takot sa 'kin, pagka't taglay lakas Mo'ng angkin..."

I've always thought that Panunumpa was a song intended for weddings after the movie "Tanging Yaman." I decided to do a little research about the lyrics and found that it was composed by Fr. JBoy Gonzales to commemorate his own ordination and also as a tribute to his father. Because the lyrics speak of making a vow to love someone, I guess that's how the song found its way to its present status as a wedding song.

This is not to say that marital love is in any way lesser in stature, but I would certainly hope that someday someone will think of making a YouTube video that also depicts the two themes that Fr. JBoy originally intended the song for.

Meantime, in my heart I feel like singing it as my personal commitment of love to the Lord, that wherever You take me, Lord, "Ikaw lamang ang pangakong mahalin..."

Words and music by JBoy Gonzalez, SJ

Thursday, March 25, 2010

No Greater Love

He didn't have to go through all that He went through, but He did.
And for a reason so simple, for a truth so amazing
that I can't help the tears from my eyes.

He loves us with a Love beyond belief.

Think about it.
Embrace it.
And let it change you forever.

By Don Moen

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Empty Space (Prayer of the Heart of Jesus)

Music & Lyrics by Manoling Francisco, SJ and Johnny Go, SJ

RESPONSE TO THE PRAYER OF THE HEART OF JESUS

Dare I believe what I hear
A missing part
in Your yearning heart
is me?

How did this come to be
You Who I long to see
Your heart is ablaze
for me?

Never did I imagine a whisper
so gentle yet I quiver.

Yours is the song
and mine a gasp and a tear.

For Your love
takes my breath away
that tears are my only reply.

Now
what does it matter?
I have all I can ever desire.

You love me forever.

Your night has led me
through the cold
to the dawn of Your fire.

2005.0928

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Power of Your Love

lets me soar like never before...

Music & Lyrics by Geoff Bullock

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

On Eagle's Wings

Music & Lyrics by Michael Joncas

In Him Alone

In Him alone is our hope
In Him alone is our strength
In Him alone are we justified
In Him alone are we saved.

What have we to offer
that does not fade or whither?
Can the world ever satisfy
the emptiness in our hearts
in vain we deny?

When will you cease running
in search of hollow meaning
let His love feed the hunger in your soul
till it overflows with joy you yearn to know

Refrain based on Psalm 62
Music & Lyrics by Manoling Francisco, SJ

How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place

All is well in His world.

Based on Psalm 84
Music & Lyrics by Arnel DC Aquino, SJ

Something More

Those who think that they have arrived
have lost their way.

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)

Music by Manoling Francisco, SJ
Lyrics by Johnny Go, SJ

Late Have I Loved You

Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new; late have I loved you....

You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire to attain the peace which is yours.

Saint Augustine (354-430)

Awit ng Paghahangad

Music & Lyrics by Charlie Cenzon, SJ

Hesus ng Aking Buhay

Music & Lyrics by Arnel DC Aquino, SJ

I Was Made to Praise You

Let this be my only consolation, that wherever I am,
You, my Lord, are loved and praised.

Thomas Merton

The Road Ahead

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Thomas Merton (1915-1968)