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About
CFCFFL
Who
is the CFCFFL?
The
Movement for Restoration Our
Covenant
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Mission and Vision
Our Statement of philosophy
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Core Values
Family Ministries Kids
for Family and Life (KFL) Youth
for Family and Life (YFL)
Singles
for Family and Life (SFL)
Handmaids
for Family and Life (HFL)
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for Family and Life (SvFL)
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The
highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity,
choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over
popularity.
Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for THERE IS
NEVER A WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
-
Bishop Soc Villegas
25 July 2007
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FROM
THE SERVANT GENERAL
THE WAY FORWARD IN CHRIST - Part 1
November 6, 2008
My dear brethren in Christ,
The restoration started last year, and from the crisis in CFC has
emerged God’s remnant, true to its authentic charism. From last year,
to this year, to next year, the Lord has been guiding us. One major
aspect of such guidance are our themes for the different years. 2007 was
the time of lamentations but also hope brought about by our
restoration.. 2008 is our time of joy, as we rebuild and move
forward under God’s renewed anointing. For 2009 we have taken the
theme of trust, as we continue to place ourselves in the hands of
the Lord who called us from 1981 and intends to use us for His purposes
until He returns once again.
In addition, for next year we are looking to the Divine Mercy. Indeed,
our work of evangelization is all about God’s mercy. These times are
increasingly evil and dark, especially in the continued vicious assaults
on marriage, family and life. The enemy is intent on destroying God’s
work and thwarting God’s plan. Many souls are being lost. But God’s
mercy is boundless. In the cross of Christ and in His blood shed for us
is salvation. But this good news needs to be proclaimed. We have been
called to stand up and defend God’s plan. Thus our mission is clearwe
are to evangelize, and we are to renew the family and defend life.
Putting it together
The consistency of the Lord’s call, since 1981 and now in the restored
CFC-FFL, is evident in a scripture passage from Sirach.
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“You who fear the
Lord, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall. You
who fear the Lord, trust him, and your reward will not be
lost. You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for
lasting joy and mercy.” (Sir 2:7-9)
Did you notice all the elements of our themes through these three years?
Hope. Joy. Trust. Mercy. Put another way, mercy is the start, and mercy
is the end. Divine mercy, which translates to God’s love, is the
foundation for our work. In between, as our responses, are what we look
to (hope, joy, trust) as we go about being instruments of God’s divine
mercy.
And what is the common denominator in this passage? It is addressed to
“you who fear the Lord.” What is fear of the Lord?
Fear of the Lord
First, fear of the Lord is about His awesome majesty. It is a
creature being in awe of his Creator. The problem in the world today is
that man has replaced God as the center of life. Indeed, man has become
god. Man looks to his own strength and ability, no longer cognizant of
the God who is the source of all good things. Even for some Christians
who do good works, Christ has been displaced from the center. In all
these, man has rejected his Maker, and has rejected the worship due to
his God. Man has now worshiped himself and the work of his hands.
To be in awe of God, to fear God, is to realize who we are and who God
is. We are weak and sinful, while God is perfect and all-powerful. Our
lives and our well-being are all totally dependent upon Him. And so we
need to give Him the worship that is His due, and we need to turn our
lives over to Him.
Second, fear of the Lord is about obeying Him and living according to
His ways. God has the power of life and death over us. But He gives His
people the choicelife or death, the blessing or the curse (Dt 30:19).
There will be bountiful blessings for obedience, but disastrous curses
for disobedience (Dt 28). As Jesus says, “Be afraid of the one who
after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be
afraid of that one.” (Lk 12:5). Right now, many are endangering their
souls by their disobedience and rebellion.
Fearing and obeying God is also about what we do for God, according to
His calling. We are His servants, called and privileged to do His very
work. But we need to respond accordingly. Otherwise there will be
consequences. “That servant who knew his master’s will but did not
make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten
severely” (Lk 12:47).
This is especially true for us in CFC, and even more so for us now in
CFC-FFL. God has blessed us. God has given us the privilege of becoming
His co-workers. God has entrusted to us (and to other Christians) the
task of proclaiming His salvation to the ends of the earth. God has
shown us clearly our mission. And God has made Himself dependent upon us
(and others that He calls) to accomplish His will with regard to family
and life. We need to be awed at such a privilege! But with the privilege
comes the responsibility. “Much will be required of the person
entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person
entrusted with more.” (Lk 12:48b).
An awesome task ahead
The forces of the enemy are focused on destroying marriage, the family
and life. We are called to the ministry of family and life. The battle
is joined. The forces have taken their positions. Are we ready? Do we
know what we are in for?
Jesus warns some would-be followers. Jesus tells one that he has nowhere
to rest his head (Lk 9:57-58), that one will need to leave the comforts
of home and the conveniences of life. Jesus tells another to leave
family behind (Lk 9:59-62), that the first priority should be him and
his mission. And of course, Jesus says to all, “If anyone wishes to
come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and
follow me.” (Lk 9:23). Jesus’ mission is so important that we need
to give him our all.
Another Jesus, the son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, also forewarns us.
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“My son, when you
come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials.. Be sincere of
heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity. Cling to him,
forsake him not; thus will your future be great. Accept whatever
befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient; for in fire gold is
tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and
he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.” (Sir
2:1-6)
The Lord allowed us to be tested during the crisis in CFC. The Lord
allowed us to suffer adversity, even in the hands of our own brethren.
The Lord humbled us. We have weathered that storm, and have learned the
lessons of Lamentations. We hopefully have been purified, and are more
intent on our way forward in holiness. But our spiritual warfare grows
more intense, and there will be more attacks, oppression, affliction,
trials, crosses and pains. In all these, be not afraid. Trust God. Cling
to God. Be holy.
A final word
We are but a speck in the whole universe and in the whole course of
salvation history. But God loves us, knows us by name, and has given us
the privilege to serve Him and to make a difference in the life of
others. God is good and faithful. We can put our whole trust and hope in
Him.
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“Study the
generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the Lord
and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been
forsaken? Has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
Compassionate and merciful is the Lord” (Sir 2:10-11a)
The way forward for us has been revealed. The trumpets have sounded, and
the clarion call is clear. Let us move on, with hope, joy and trust, and
be instruments of God’s divine mercy upon the world.
God bless you all.
Your brother in Christ,
Frank Padilla
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