Pen Teves Notes

THANK YOU

Dear God, thank You for everything—for the countless blessings, love, and graces You have given upon us, our loved ones, friends, and acquaintances. Thank You for Your constant protection from harm, evil, and temptation, and for Your unfailing presence in our lives.

We know that You are always watching over us. We humbly and earnestly pray that You remain with us today and in the days yet to come. Guide our steps, strengthen our faith, give us good health, protect us from every danger, and grant us the wisdom and grace to follow Your will.

All this we ask through Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPON

Where does the world is heading to? It is not enough that the world is bombarded with so many natural calamities – earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruptions, etc. – and now, the news that the U.S. is seriously considering bombing Iran with tactical nuclear weapon.

This had presumably been considered because Iran has deeply buried missiles silos and nuclear facilities difficult for the U.S. to destroy with conventional strike. Just the same, it would result to catastrophic devastation and radiation but on a limited scale than if the strategic nuclear bomb is used.

The U.S.-Iran conflict remains extremely tense, with the June 2026 interim agreement effectively collapsed, thus, prolonging the war. But this option has not been officially confirmed by the U.S.

Let’s hope and pray this is just a mere speculation and that sane mind will prevail for the sake of humanity.

ABORTION

You said to Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). These words reveal the profound dignity of every human life and the special care and purpose You have for each of us.

Likewise, You warned us not to harm or despise the little ones, saying: “Their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). How precious, therefore, is every human life in Your sight.

Each of us is formed by God with a special purpose, both in this earthly life and in the life to come. Thus, when we interfere with God’s plan by deciding who should live and who should not, we must consider the eternal consequences of such action. If we cannot endure even a moment of suffering or misfortune in this life, how much more terrible would it be to face the consequences of rejecting God for all eternity?

Ultimately, we must make a choice: to believe in God and His Word, or to reject Him and dismiss the eternal consequences as nothing more than fantasy or a figment of one's imagination. But let us remember how fleeting our earthly existence is. As the old song goes: “Here today, and – in just a little while – gone tomorrow.”

May we therefore treasure every human life, seek God’s will, and prepare ourselves for the eternity that awaits us. We surrender ourselves completely to You, O Lord, trusting in Your divine providence. Do with us as You will, for we trust that, in the end, Your will is always directed toward our ultimate good.

ST. THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, you promised you will spend your time in Heaven doing good upon earth, helping those struggling and suffering. You said that you would let a shower of roses to fall upon those who seek your divine intercession.

Bring our humble petitions before God and ask Him to grant them according to His holy will. And, if it pleases God, let a petal of roses fall upon us as a gentle sign that He heard our prayers.

Help us to trust always in His mercy and to accept His will with faith and humility. O Little Flower of Jesus, pray and intercede for us. Amen.

SIGNS OF TIMES

Jesus warned about the signs to precede the end of the age: false prophets deceiving many; wars and rumors of wars; nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom; earthquakes, diseases and famines in various places; persecution and hatred of Christians; falling away of many from faith and turning against one another; increasing lawlessness; growing colder of love; and the proclamation of His Gospel throughout the world. (Matthew 24:3–44, Mark 13:3–37, and Luke 21:7–36)

All these predictions are coming true. Evil increases everywhere. Yet Jesus cautioned us not to be alarmed for these things must come first. But they do not, by themselves, mean that the end has arrived. Rather, take His words as a call for conversion and faithfulness. Avail of God’s mercy while there is still time. Do not wait until the day of judgment come.

Subtle changes is one of the most effective means whereby His enemies can deceive. People gradually become accustomed from doing evil rather than good. When changes happen little-by-little, people may fail to recognize how profoundly the world has changed. What once appeared clearly wrong can eventually be treated as normal. What is good and true can be questioned, twisted or rejected.

Be spiritually vigilant! Recognize that many of what Jesus warned are evident in the world today. For instant, around 3,800 magnitudes of 4.0+ and above earthquakes happened from January 1 through August 15 this year 2026. Troubles are also brewing even inside the Church.

But such events should not be interpreted as proof that the end has arrived, nor should they cause to speculate about a specific date. Rather, they serve as reminders of His advice to remain watchful and spiritually prepared just like in the Parable of the Ten Virgins for which five were wise and kept their lamps prepared with oil, while five were foolish and unprepared thinking that the bridegroom’s arrival would be delayed. Jesus warned: “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

Everything must end, including earthly life. But for those who remain faithful and prepared, the return of Christ is not something to fear. It is the glorious hope of the Christian faith—the day when we will finally meet God and share in His eternal kingdom. The question is not whether we can predict when He will come, but whether we will be ready when He does.

“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”

JESUS & THE SECOND TEMPLE

When Jesus’ disciples admired the magnificence of the Temple in Jerusalem, He foretold that “not one stone will be left upon another” (Mark 13:2) which was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Roman army under Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple that King Herod rebuilt. For Christians, the destruction marked the end of the Temple’s "animal-sacrifice" understood to be replaced by Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary for the forgiveness of sins.

Two centuries later, Emperor Julian (A.D. 361–363), nephew of Emperor Constantine, who rejected Christianity and sought to restore paganism, authorized an attempt to rebuild the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem as a challenge to Jesus’ prophecy and weaken Christianity. Restoration began in A.D. 363 but was abandoned after extraordinary events were reported at the site. The pagan Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus described mysterious “globes of flame” bursting from the foundations and preventing the workers from continuing the reconstruction. Ancient writers also associated the failure with an earthquake occurring in the same place.

Historically, Julian authorized the rebuilding, failure, and reports of mysterious fires and earthquake associated with the events. What history cannot prove with certainty is if these occurrences were supernatural acts of God or not. But Christians at the time interpreted them as divine signs confirming Jesus’ prophecy.

The Temple was never rebuilt until now, and Julian’s attempt to revive ended up in complete failure.

“Lord Jesus, how great is Your name!”

GOD’S MERCY & PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16–17)

He may allow us to experience punishment and suffering in this world so that we may turn away from sin and be saved from eternal damnation. He disciplines not to destroy but to correct us, lead us to repentance, and bring us back to Him. When we sincerely repent of our sins and seek His mercy, God forgives us completely.

He may punish those who persist in wickedness, but He is always ready to forgive those who truly repent and return to Him no matter how big the offense is. He does not abandon His people, even when we suffer because of our sins. He also promises justice against those who oppress His people.

WHERE THERE'S NO SPACE & TIME

Remain faithful to God. He will bring us to Heaven – our true home and final destiny – a place of perfect joy, peace, and charity devoid of pain, sorrow, fear, or death. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. We shall live in His glorious presence forever (Rev. 21:4).

Yet while still pilgrims on earth, we could not help but be concerned for those whom we love. Yes, we cannot bring material possessions to eternity for there will be no U-Haul behind a hearse. But we can bring the fruits of life lived in faith. Our love for our family and friends endures and we desire not only for our own salvation but also for theirs. Genuine love longs to share eternal happiness with those who are dear to us.

Thus, let them also be in Heaven. While God gives us time, let’s proclaim the Gospel, encourage faith, pray and help us all grow in holiness. By our words, example, and love, may we lead them closer to God. Together we may live forever in place He has prepared for us.