ABC STARS Inspires

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection  by James Z. Carpio Here in Bicolandia, we call her Ina. In the history of the devotion of the pilgrims of Mama Mary, there were two occasions wherein she was disrespected. First, her image was stolen then, thankfully, recovered in a tomb in the local Catholic cemetery. Second, she was stripped off her Manto by so-called voyadores. Did you know that her image is clothed by nuns in the privacy of a locked room? Priests or any man for that matter are not allowed while our Blessed Virgin Mary is being prepared prior to her appearance to her devotees. Fragrant perfume is also sprayed on her image as part of the finishing touches. So, imagine the disappointment of the then Archbishop, +Leonardo Z. Legaspi upon seeing the naked image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. You could have probably heard a pin drop as he gave his ser...

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio According to Father Mike, Generosity is the spiritual gift that is love put into action. There are many gifts that we already have and that we take for granted or much worse— we do not use. Why pray for super natural gifts when we have one that would be just as good or even better? He cites an example when one would ask for the power of healing. The kind of gift where one just lays one’s hands on the sick and there is a miracle of getting well. Father Mike illustrates the point when we are already given the gift of mobility. Why not visit your friend or family member at the hospital instead? For sure that would be greatly appreciated. Actions speak louder than words. Generosity is the fruition of hope, faith, and, love. In desperate times, we can help anyone according to the gift we already have. In ...

    Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection  By James Carpio Father Mike explains, expertly, that it is a possibility. I was born here without anything. When I die I cannot take with me anything. If I go to heaven will I see my family and friends there ? I do not know. They lived their own lives.  One thing for sure though, if I make it to heaven, God will be there. And that is enough for me. May you be inspired by the Holy Spirit and God bless!

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio Is it not that the ending of the video of Father Mike heartwarming? We have mercenary hearts but are we not glad that Our Lord Jesus has a Merciful Heart? I am not enough. You are not enough. He is not enough. She is not enough. We are all not enough. Saint Peter was asked to walk on water. At first he could, however he faltered with his faith and began to sink and Our Good Shepherd clasped his hand and pulled him up. In suffering our faith is tested. In suffering the grace given to us helps us survive. Put simply, more and more sufferings mean so much more and more graces. A sufferer once asked the Divine Healer, my Lord why am I suffering? And, the Redeemer replied, My Grace is enough for you. Yes, Christian Life IS Impossible indeed. Yes, we are not enough. However, do not get discouraged. Because...

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎..   Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio Personally, I would not want to go to confession over Zoom. Why? Because what if there is a technical glitch, or a hack, and the confession got recorded and got leaked. Think about it. I absolutely concur with Father Mike, we do not live online. We are not Artificial Intelligence. We live in the world. We are human. Jesus has Presence. Thus, all sacraments have to be administered with us being present. We can go to confession in person in our most convenient time. Today, this weekend, or as what Father Mike said, “…even right now!” Because God loves you. May you be inspired by the Holy Spirit and God bless!

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio There were times that I stopped writing, most recently, because of the pandemic. I also took breaks when I am abroad. Nonetheless, I stayed the course. As I reflect now about the collaboration of Inspires with Ascension Press and Ascension Presents, I am glad that I continued.  The first collaboration went live in December 20th, 2016. Why did I think that the project is worthwhile? Well, when I was doing my research online for writing about Catholic Faith and inspiration, I stumbled upon Father Mike’s videos on YouTube. He wears a priest uniform in them. The same uniform worn by my older brother, the late Monsignor Bob, and another brother, Father Pablo. The videos helped me. And, in this beatnik age I believe that it would help others as well. May you be inspired by The Holy Spirit and God Bles...

Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio This is a brief follow up, also an initiative regarding the advice of Father Mike in that video. I wrote a report about a situation that went awry at Starbucks, in The City of Naga, along Magsaysay Avenue.  It is all water under the bridge. In fact, I gave them a mug from Starbucks, U.S.A. May you have an inspiring Christmas and a blessed New Year!

    Ascension Press   and   Ascension Presents         in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio I am here now on Earth because my Mama loved me and she even had another baby just so that I would have a buddy. Papa's Post: Fourteen! Image courtesy of chrisroll at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Today is special --- the day you turn eighteen. You've grown so well, in age and wisdom and grace. I still remember, perhaps you wouldn't have been If not for Mommy's faith, her heroic ways. Long ago, when Thirteen was eight months old, Mommy had a stroke, was paralyzed. "No further pregnancies" so she was told, "Or else your life would be jeopardized!" She didn't agree. She said, "That cannot be! "There's got to be a buddy for James the Less "So James the Great, Fourteen, is coming, you'll see!" She talked with God that's why. He answered, "Yes!" Great w...

  Ascension Press   and   Ascension Presents         in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio That one is, definitely, a classic! And, self-explanatory. May you be inspired by The Holy Spirit and God Bless!

  Ascension Press   and   Ascension Presents         in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio Real friends...? Most definitely, make no mistake about it. Like our Lord Jesus Christ. The Angels, and Saints, and the souls in Purgatory. They are eternal. They give us life. A chance to be with them in eternal bliss in Heaven. Fake friends? No way. May you be inspired by the Holy Spirit and May God Bless us all... However, hope springs eternal though. So, anybody can swim in the Golden Pond should you, fervently, pray for it. Look at Saint Dimas, the thief on the side of our Lord Jesus Christ on His Crucifixion and Death in Calvary. He just said to Jesus, "They say You are the King of Jews, I believe, can I come with?". Something along those lines. Our Lord Jesus Christ replied, "Today, you will be with Me in Paradise!". Thy Will Be Done. Amen.

        Ascension Press   and   Ascension Presents         in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio The one phenomenon we all share in experiencing as of the present is the pandemic. It has a "Domino Effect". It has a "Snowball Effect". It has a "Boomerang Effect". And, that is just the tip of the iceberg, pun intended. Practically, the whole nine yards. After introspection, it has been written in the pages of History. Our ancestors had experienced pandemics. It is written in Sacred Scriptures as well i.e. the Bible. Remember, the 7 years of great famine and the 7 years of great harvest? How about the Black Plague? Or, how about the Spanish Influenza? Those were storms in the past. In the Bible, one illuminating story goes... when there was a storm at sea, the disciples were all panicking on the boat. And, Jesus said, "Keep Calm...". He even walked on water. He ...

      Ascension Press   and   Ascension Presents         in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio Father Mike Schmitz suggests or rather explains that we should like to foster a "Correction Culture" than a "Cancellation Culture". Two things: 1. Truth 2. Grace If these two are absent then these two prevail: 1. Utility 2. Preference Father Mike's explanation is superb. The salient points that I would like to elaborate on is to rephrase them into "Hate the sin, yet still, love the sinner." Thus, correcting our brother or sister. Teaching him or her which is a grace-truth-filled culture. Upholding the objective truth or standard. A restoration and reconciliation bringing him/her back home to Our Father's loving arms. May you be inspired by the Holy Spirit and God Bless!

    Ascension Press   and   Ascension Presents in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Refelection By James Z. Carpio My late brother lawyer would always tell me when he was alive to play it by the ear when it comes to living my life. Little did I know that what he wanted to impart to me is to leave it all up to God. God is in charge so says my brother priest. Indeed, Father Mike is correct, in that we should like to surrender to God. 1. To say, "yes," to Him. 2. To trust in Him. 3. To let Him be our Lord. 4. To give our everything to Him, be it good and bad stuff of our lives. 5. To let Him have access to our lives. So, let us make Him the pilot of our rocket ship, metaphorically, and assume as the co-pilot of our shared destiny. May you be inspired by the Holy Spirit and God Bless!

  Ascension Press  and   Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio  

Ascension Press  and   Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎..  Condensed Reflection  By James Z. Carpio  Life is difficult. That is the very first sentence of the book written by M. Scott Peck, M.D.'s, "The Road Less Traveled". Reality bites though cliche is the Truth. Hence, we have a predisposition to blame ourselveves, others, and even God. Father Mike strongly discourageous us never to engage in the "blame game".  The best thing to do is take full responsibility of our life. We ought to do that because it is the right thing to do. And, it is good. May you be inspired by The Holy Spirit and God Bless!    

Ascension Press  and   Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio  I am a firm believer in altruism. Yes, it is commitment, duty, responsibility, and the whole nine yards. Faith, family, finances, intimacy are the salient "deal-breakers", that Father Mike emphasized. I concur absolutely. May you be Inspired by The Holy Spirit and God Bless! 

Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio   Father Mike Schmitz is right, just surrender to God. When I am not sure about anything, I do not like to debate with myself and confuse myself. Rather, I just pray to God and tell Him to forgive me if it indeed what I committed is a sin. I think this is also similar to the situation when in confession we humbly ask the priest to forgive the sins that we may have forgotten. May you be inspired by The Holy Spirit and God bless!

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio No-brainer. I absolutely agree with Father Mike Schmitz. We save the best for last. May you be inspired by The Holy Spirit and God bless!

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio My perspective about this topic is more orientated as a process. Perhaps, a process of purification. To become more like our God The Father. Thus, wrestling with Him is a continuous barrage of corrections. Thus, wrestling with Him is a continuous barrage of tests. It is a journey of faith, hope, and love. As Father Mike Schmitz stated, it is a way of getting to know Him better or being closer with The Lord. God wants us to be truly a part of His very Being. Thereby, I think we are called to participate in His creation i.e. His Grand Plan. It is all good. God is good. All the time. We should be steadfast with our trust in Him. May you be inspired by the Holy Spirit and God Bless!