Human Formation

Sem. Carl Joshua 

A triggering impact of fraternal correction shows when someone does undesirable things. Fraternal correction is very significant in terms of the seminary formation. We value fraternal correction as it gives practice for self-improvement, maturity, and humility. We certainly correct each other for us to grow in the formation. I also experience being corrected. There are times that I do not listen and times that I listen. Realizing the fruit of fraternal corrections when I allow myself not only to open my eyes, or to hear but most especially is to listen. Hearing is opposed to listening. Hearing happens every second, every minute and every hour, through the various noise and sound in our surroundings. Listening happens when we realize, value and put time and effort into what we hear.
Listening is higher than hearing. Listening is higher than refusing. 
To be well-formed, I should follow, listen and put effort to improve in every aspect of life. 

Community Life

Sem. Carl Joshua

One of the most exciting within the community aside from building up the brotherhood is when a joker of the community starts to throw, or show something which makes everyone laugh. We build our community with purpose through making each one of us happy, as possible. We make our lives with sense, with our fellow brothers, through allowing ourselves to be formed. We laugh together and makes that laugh a memorable experience that we can go back and refresh our minds. We eat together and making sure that everyone is full and satisfied. 

I realize that in our formation, I should not look solely in physical, emotional changes in my life but also in spiritual and on how God works in me as I live within the community.

 WE ONLY LIVE ONCE! Making our lives better is one of the greatest achievement in life. 

Be POSITIVE! Be LIVE! 

I Love Mama....I Love Mary

Sem. Carl Joshua

We all know that mother is one of the greatest gifts of God. A mother who always thinks about her child. A mother who takes care, and makes sure that her child is OK. A mother who always forgets herself for her needs, making sure that her child fulfills his wants. We commonly known a mother as the "Ilaw ng Tahanan".  

I see the happiness of a mother when she feels well, and most especially when she knows that her child shows a joyous attribute. Likewise, Mary, feels happiness when her child is in a good condition. Moreover, I thank my mother for everything. A mother who gives a marvelous care and love for us, siblings. 

 Love our mother. Pray for them as always.  

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” 

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

SACRIFICE: EASY or HARD!
Sem. Carl Joshua

In fact, it is very difficult to SACRIFICE. Sacrifice is not a simple thing but, it is a BIG DEAL. In reality, we cannot say that we do not experience sacrificing. In my case I mean it! that I experience different kinds of sacrifices. For instance: sacrificing the studies rather than playing outdoor games, washing clothes rather than sleeping, finishing the requirements rather than opening the entertainment site of MSN. Moreover, it does only limit to me, as I remember the sacrifices of my parents for us , siblings. I agree that they have a GREAT SACRIFICES for us, as they WORK HARDER for the sake of their children. 

SACRIFICE becomes EASY when it reach the HAPPINESS of being SUCCESSFUL.

SACRIFICE become HARDER when man always look on the difficult and bad sides, without HOPE.

If we SACRIFICE, although it is not easy nor simple, we may be able to RECEIVE REWARDS not even today, but in the FUTURE. 
I sacrifice not because I want, but because I have to, and  know that I will grow and learn in life. :)  

In fact, the reality is that Christ offers himself for us. He sacrifices his Life for us, and therefore, we must also sacrifice. :)

Wisdom.  Understanding. Value.

Sem. Carl Joshua 

WISDOM 

We all have the wisdom. Wisdom is given by God. We do not just use it or rather we are just shy to perform or to show the talents or to bring out what we have. On the other hand, it is good to use wisdom in a positive and helpful ways.

UNDERSTANDING

If we have wisdom, therefore, we may be able or we have the capacity to understand. Understanding in the sense that we do not just understand ourselves, but others as well. We can understand others if we understand ourselves. 

VALUE

We already have wisdom, for us to understand. We already have understanding for us to value something. If we already understand something, we may be able to value things. We may be able to value, what we have understood. 

I choose these three words, because it inspires me to LEARN and REALIZE the reality of my life. 
I do not know everything, but I can KNOW as long the EFFORT of mine is there to know things in life. 
This is very important!

This is it! Vocation.

Sem. Carl Joshua 

            “Many are called but few are chosen” From Gospel of Saint Matthew.

            All of us are called to serve. We are called to serve in different ways. But, not all of us are capable and not all of us have the capacity to serve. God’s call is in general but there are people who are called and yet they are hearing truly the call of God.

            According to the Merriam Dictionary, vocation comes from the latin word vocare which means to call. So, it is the call of God in our lives. Vocation to the Priesthood is not simply a calling but rather it is the full response to the call of God. Vocation to the Priesthood is not a profession but rather it is a will to follow Christ all through life. Vocation to the Priesthood is not force but rather it is the willingness to accept Christ in our life. Vocation to the Priesthood is not like only at the first but rather it is continuous and it is forevermore.

            Seminary life is like a plant because I can relate it to my own vocation. It is like a plant which is capable to grow and develop. A plant, when we pour water unto it, it will gradually grow because when we take care of it, it can easily build another branches for it to have a strong foundation through the storms and calamities. It is like my vocation, as I experience many problems and struggles in my life. I thank God because of the hope, trust and love of vocation that He has given.

           

            How do I respond to the call of God? Why am I giving value for it? How it inspires me in everyday living in the seminary? First, I respond to the call of God through following Christ by helping, praying and serving others in everyday life. Priesthood life gives unconditional love of God through the people that surrounds me inside and outside the seminary. Second, I am giving value for my vocation because I feel that God is truly present in my life as a seminarian because of his blessings and mercy. There are times that I cannot handle the struggles and yet there are people become the channel to resolve the problems. Lastly, the extraordinary call of God inspires me through the people that he grants to me.

            I therefore challenge you to be generous in responding because God’s unconditional love has been poured generously. You are called and you are the chosen one of God. I challenge you to have a fruitful, bountiful, and gainful vocation from the Lord. If we can love the vocation that we have we can give fully ourselves to God. God’s call is the most inspiring part that we have receive in our life. Our answer is very important to allow God in our life as a seminarian. Let us give the extraordinary love to our vocation to the Priesthood.

I Love my Vocation!  How about You?  

I Always Have A Choice. It is!

Sem. Carl Joshua

I believe, I always have a choice no matter what I’m doing. No matter where I am. No matter what is happening to me. I always have a choice. I have been staying in the seminary for almost three years. I choose to stay because I feel that I have the vocation and of course the formators allow me to stay. Every now and then I am very thankful because I can choose what is capable for me not to surrender but to continue my journey being a servant of God. I choose to enter the seminary not because I was inspired but because I choose the seminary for me to undergo formation and for me to explore and to know Christ as well.

As a human person, I have the freedom because I am able to choose, having the freedom of choice. Freedom of choice is what I have, because I choose to study rather than to do the things which are unnecessary. I choose to wash my clothes rather than to sleep during free time. I choose to ask for tutorial rather than to have a non-sense conversation. I choose to go to chapel after brushing teeth rather that to sleep immediately.  I choose to keep silence rather than to commit sins and violations. I choose to play basketball with brothers rather than to watch anime or cartoons. I choose to be optimistic when the negativity surrounds.

There are many choices in my life. There are choices that if I choose it might harm me and others but there are choices that I can do well that bring happiness and goodness not only for me but, for the people who surrounds me. I am thankful because of the unconditional love of God, even though sometimes there are things that I cannot control myself that is why I hurt others through my weaknesses. I thank God because he gives me choices to choose what I need to choose. In every trials and challenges in life I always have a choice to face it, I always have a choice not to escape but to avoid and give solution for it. I always have a choice to continue my journey. I always have a choice to strengthen my faith and vocation. I always have a choice to persevere to know Christ who is the source of my vocation.   

Let us choose what is Godly!