Living the Gospel Community

25/05/2026

A MOTHER NEVER ABANDONS HER CHILDREN | “Today we celebrate the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. The title itself is beautiful. Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus. The Lord Himself gave her to us as our Mother.

In today’s Gospel, we are brought to Calvary. Jesus is hanging on the Cross. He is suffering. He is breathing His last. And among those who remained there was Mary. Many had left. Many became afraid. But Mary stayed.

Then Jesus looked at His Mother and at the beloved disciple and said: “Woman, behold your son… Behold your mother.”

At first glance, it may seem that Jesus was simply making arrangements for Mary before He died. But the Church understands these words more deeply. Jesus was not only entrusting Mary to John. Jesus was entrusting Mary to every disciple. John represents all of us.

And notice what happens next. The Gospel says: “And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (John 19:27). That line is very important. Jesus did not only say, “Behold your mother.” The disciple also welcomed Mary into his home.

This tells us something beautiful: Jesus desires that every disciple make room for Mary in his life and in his home. Not because Mary replaces Jesus. But because Mary always brings us closer to Jesus.

To welcome Mary into our homes means more than placing a statue in the living room. It means allowing her example to shape our family life.

A home that welcomes Mary becomes a home where people pray together. A home that welcomes Mary becomes gentler in speech and quicker to forgive. A home that welcomes Mary learns to remain faithful even in difficult times.

Many of us have images of Our Lady in our homes—but perhaps the question today is: Does Mary only have a place on our wall, or does she also have a place in our hearts?

1. A mother stays.

Mary did not run away from the Cross. She stayed even when she did not fully understand.

Many people remain faithful when life is easy, but become distant from God when suffering comes.

Mary teaches us: love remains.

Some parents continue sacrificing for children who do not always appreciate them. Some spouses remain faithful despite difficulties. Some quietly carry sickness, disappointments, or loneliness.

Mary reminds us: staying can also be an act of love.

2. A mother gathers.

At the foot of the Cross, Jesus begins forming a new family.

The Church is not built only by structures or programs. The Church becomes alive when people care for one another.

Today many people are connected online but feel alone inside. Many houses are complete, but homes are broken.

Mary continues gathering us back to Jesus and to one another.

Perhaps one of the greatest services we can offer is simple: be people who unite rather than divide, accompany rather than judge.

3. A mother leads us to Christ.

Mary never keeps attention for herself. Her whole life says: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).

True devotion to Mary always leads us to Jesus. If after praying the Rosary we become kinder, more forgiving, more faithful—then Mary is truly guiding us.

My dear brothers and sisters,

Today, let us ask ourselves: Have I welcomed Mary into my home?

Not only into my house, but into my decisions, my family life, my struggles, and my journey of faith.

Because Jesus Himself gave us His Mother. And a mother never abandons her children.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Amen.”

— Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy
Maymay sa Magbalantay | 25 May 2026

25/05/2026

Pope Leo on Pentecost Sunday:

“The Holy Spirit opens the doors of our hearts, helping us to overcome resistance, selfishness, mistrust, and prejudice, and enabling us to live as children of God and brothers and sisters to one another. Where the Spirit of the Lord is present, brotherhood arises among individuals, groups, and the peoples of the Earth, and all speak the one language of love, which unites and harmonizes diversity.

Brothers and sisters, even in our own day, especially on this day of Pentecost, we must invoke the Holy Spirit, so that He might open all the doors that still remain closed.”

24/05/2026

PENTECOST 2026 | The Living the Gospel Community Sisters joyfully participated in the Pentecost 2026 celebration with the inspiring theme: “Holy Fire, Unite Us in Mission.”

The gathering began with the praying of the Holy Rosary, followed by the bible enthronement, praise and worship, and was deeply enriched by the inspiring talk of Bro. Bobby Quitain. Filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, the event became a beautiful encounter of prayer, renewal, unity, and mission for everyone present.

Bro. Bobby Quitain emphasized that unity is not uniformity but unanimity. Though we may have different gifts, personalities, and missions, we are united by one and the same Spirit. Whether priest, religious, or lay faithful, we all share one mission: to evangelize and spread the love of God.

He encouraged everyone to pray for:

1. Courage – to step out of our comfort zones and generously offer our gifts in service to the Church.

2. Healing – that even in weakness, suffering, or sickness, we may continue to love and faithfully serve the Lord.

3. Freedom – from emotional wounds, low self-esteem, addictions, favorite sins, and anything that hinders spiritual, emotional, and mental healing.

4. Reawakening – especially for those who have grown distant from God and for those slowly losing their zeal for evangelization.

5. Innovation in Evangelization – to courageously use social media and modern platforms as instruments in proclaiming the Gospel.

6. Enhancement of Spiritual Gifts – whether in preaching, healing, teaching, administration, or service. Every gift must be surrendered to God and shared cheerfully for His greater glory.

7. Transformation Through Love – because true discipleship is measured not by talents alone but by love for one another. As Scripture reminds us, even the greatest gifts are meaningless without love. The Church continues to grow because of authentic Christian love lived out in community.

Indeed, Pentecost 2026 became a powerful reminder that the Holy Spirit continues to renew hearts, unite His people, and set the Church on fire with love and mission.

24/05/2026

May 24 | Reflection on the Pentecost Sunday

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20:21-23)

Today, we celebrate the birthday of the Church — the great feast of Pentecost. It is the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, filling them with courage, wisdom, and zeal to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.

Did you know that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit? This precious gift from the Father and the Son is offered to all in its fullness. St. Hilary, in his treatise on the Trinity, teaches that the Holy Spirit is present everywhere and is given to each person according to one’s openness and readiness to receive Him. The Spirit remains with us until the end of time — our Comforter, Guide, and Source of strength while we journey toward God’s Kingdom.

The more we desire to be worthy of His presence, the more fully the Holy Spirit works within us. He enlightens our minds, strengthens our hearts, and radiates His splendor into our understanding. The gifts and graces He bestows are a pledge of the hope that awaits us in eternal life.

The Second Vatican Council, in Lumen Gentium, reminds us that the Holy Spirit not only sanctifies and guides the People of God through the sacraments and ministries, but also enriches the faithful with virtues and distributes special graces according to His will. These gifts are given for the building up of the Body of Christ, which is the Church.

God calls us to holiness because He Himself is holy. He gives us the Holy Spirit so that we may live lives pleasing to Him. To do this, we must repent of our sins, renounce our old selves, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ by imitating His virtues. Through His grace, we are empowered to choose what is good, avoid sin, forgive others, and practice patience and charity toward everyone.

Without grace, we can do nothing good. God’s grace is always available, but we must cooperate with it daily by continually choosing what is right and pleasing to Him.

Lord, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the intercession of Mother Mary, may I always be docile, faithful, and generous in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit for Your greater glory and for the building up of Your Church. Amen.

Sr. Eduviges Inoc, LGC

23/05/2026

Cardinal Jose Advincula said the traditional Santacruzan should be seen as more than a colorful May procession, urging Catholics to treat it as a call to deeper Christian devotion and reflection on the meaning of the cross.

Click the link in the comments for the full story.

23/05/2026

STOP COMPARING YOUR JOURNEY WITH THE JOURNEY OF OTHERS | “The Gospel gives us a very human moment. Peter turns around and sees John, the beloved disciple, following behind. Then Peter asks Jesus: “Lord, what about him?” (John 21:21).

And Jesus responds: “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me” (John 21:22).

Those words are simple, but they carry a powerful message.

First, stop comparing your journey with the journey of others.

Peter had just received a difficult mission. Jesus had already hinted that Peter would one day suffer and glorify God through his death.

Perhaps Peter became uneasy and asked: “Lord… and what about John? Will his life also be difficult?”

Isn’t this also our tendency?

“Lord, why is their life easier than mine?” “Why does their family seem happier?” “Why are they more successful?” “Why does that person receive more blessings?”

Social media has made this even worse. We now compare not only with neighbors but with thousands of people every day.

Comparison steals peace.

Jesus gently reminds Peter and us: Do not become too occupied with another person’s path that you forget your own calling.

Your mission is not to live somebody else’s life. Your mission is to follow Jesus faithfully where He has placed you.

Second, every disciple has a different vocation but the same destination. Jesus did not call Peter and John to identical lives. Peter would lead and eventually die as a martyr. John would live longer and witness through writing and presence.

Different paths. Same Lord.

This is also true in the Church. Some are called to priesthood, others to marriage. Some are called to public leadership, others to quiet service. Some carry heavy crosses; others become sources of consolation.

We do not measure holiness by popularity, position, wealth, or recognition. We measure holiness by faithfulness.

And finally, focus less on others and more on your response to God.

There is a question that can destroy peace: “Why them?”

But there is another question that changes life: “Lord, what are You asking of me?”

Today many people spend more energy criticizing others than improving themselves.

We compare ministries. We compare dioceses. We compare families. We compare priests. We compare lifestyles.

But Jesus says: “You follow Me.”
Not: Watch others.
Not: Control others.
Not: Compete with others.

But: Follow Me.

My dear brothers and sisters,

John ends today’s Gospel by saying that there are many other things Jesus did, and the world itself could not contain all the books that could be written.

In other words: Jesus is greater than what we understand. So trust Him.

You do not need to know why God is leading others differently. You only need enough grace to say: “Lord, wherever You lead me, I will follow.”

— Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy
Maymay sa Magbalantay | 23 May 2026

23/05/2026

23/05/2026

Happy birthday Sr. Mylene, LGC Sr. Precy, LGC and Sr. Ester,LGC!

21/05/2026

LGC Servant Leaders Outing
Not a break without purpose, but a vital time to balance life, appreciate its beauty, and recharge so we can serve God more faithfully fruitfully.

17/05/2026

On this Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, reflected in the Gospel of Matthew 28:16–20, we are reminded of the final encounter of Jesus with His disciples before His Ascension into heaven. “When they saw Him, they worshipped, but they doubted.” Despite their doubts and weaknesses, Jesus entrusted them with a great mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… and behold, I am with you always until the end of the age.”

There are several important points that deeply touched my heart in this Gospel reflection.

First is the encounter with Jesus. The apostles encountered the Risen Lord personally. This encounter transformed their fear into courage and their doubt into faith. As religious, priests, and Christians, we too are called to have a personal, intimate, and loving relationship with Jesus. Before any vocation or mission, there must first be an encounter with Him. Without this relationship, our mission becomes empty and lifeless.

Second is the mission itself. It was Jesus who sent His disciples on mission. The mission is not ours; it is the mission of Christ that we are invited to share. Every baptized Christian is called to be an evangelizer and witness of the Gospel.

Jesus gave important elements of this mission:

To make disciples people must first undergo formation as learners at the feet of the Master. Discipleship requires humility, openness, and continual conversion of heart.

To baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - baptism welcomes believers into the life of the Holy Trinity and into the Catholic faith. It is through baptism that we become children of God and members of the Church.

To teach them Jesus commanded His disciples to teach others to observe all that He has taught, especially the commandment of love. As Fr. Quito emphasized, our formation must always be rooted in Sacred Scripture, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and Sacred Tradition. We are called not only to read and study these truths, but also to live them sincerely from the heart so that we may faithfully teach the truth to others. This challenges us to ask ourselves: Are we truly knowledgeable about our faith? Are our people being guided to know and live the teachings of the Church?

Lastly is the assurance of His presence. Jesus promised, “I am with you always.” This is a beautiful reminder that we are never alone in our mission and daily Christian life. Christ continually sustains us through the Church, the sacraments, and His abiding presence. We cannot fulfill our mission alone; we need the loving presence of Jesus to strengthen us, guide us, and help us persevere with joy and love.

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we believe in You, we hope in You, and we love You. Through the intercession of Mother Mary, teach us to faithfully carry out our mission and guide Your people to know, love, and live the truth of our Catholic faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sr. Eduviges Inoc, LGC
Contemplative

17/05/2026

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY | Today, the Living the Gospel Community joyfully celebrates its 31st Anniversary of Canonical Er****on as a Diocesan Rite Community, together with the Renewal of Commitment of all our perpetually professed Sisters.

With grateful hearts, we thank God for His steadfast faithfulness throughout the years for the gift of vocation, community, and mission. As our Sisters renew their sacred commitment, may their lives continue to radiate Christ’s love and inspire many more to courageously respond to God’s call.

Thirty-one years of grace, service, and living the Gospel with joy. To live is Christ! 🙏💙

Congratulations!