Benilde - Center for Lasallian Ministry

The Voice Before the Noise

“He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah.” - Luke 1:17

Ang ingay ng mundo ngayon ‘no?

Laging may opinion.
Laging may issue.
Laging may gustong patunayan.

Sa social media, sa school, sa work, minsan parang lahat gustong marinig… pero kakaunti ang tunay nahandang makinig.

At dito pumapasok si Saint John the Baptist.

Sa Solemnity ng kanyang kapanganakan, ipinapaalala sa atin na bago dumating si Jesus Christ publicly, may naunang “voice” na ipinadala ang Diyos upang ihanda ang mga tao.

Hindi si John ang Savior.
Hindi siya ang bida.
Hindi siya ang liwanag.

Pero pinili niyang maging boses na magtuturo papunta kay Kristo.

Honestly, ang hirap nito sa panahon natin ngayon.

Kasi mas gusto natin minsan na tayo ang mapansin.
Tayo ang ma-recognize.
Tayo ang mauna.

Pero si John the Baptist, iba.

Ang mission niya:
“Prepare the way of the Lord.”

Hindi tungkol sa kanya.
Tungkol kay Jesus.

At habang binabasa ko ang gospel ngayon mula kay Lukas (1:57-66, 80), napaisip ako:

What if ang tunay na purpose natin ay hindi para sumikat… kundi para may maituro tayong daan papuntasa Diyos?

Grabe ‘no?

Hindi kailangan loud para maging meaningful.
Hindi kailangan famous para magkaroon ng impact.

Minsan, sapat nang maging tao na:
nagpapalakas ng loob,
nagdadala ng pag-asa,
nagpapaalala ng kabutihan ng Diyos,
at nagiging dahilan para mas mapalapit ang iba kay Lord.

Sa totoo lang, maraming “voices” ang nakakapagod pakinggan ngayon:
voices of pressure, comparison, fear, validation, and insecurity.

Pero si John became a different kind of voice: a voice that called people back to God.

At bilang mga Benildeans, ito rin ang paanyaya sa atin.

Sa classroom.
Sa workplaces.
Sa pamilya.
Sa online spaces.
Sa simpleng pakikitungo natin sa tao.

We are called not just to add noise…but to become voices of truth, compassion, and hope.

Hindi kailangang perfect para magamit ni Lord.
Si John mismo, namuhay sa wilderness.
Simple.
Tahimik.
Hindi glamorous.

Pero powerful.

Kasi ang totoong lakas ng isang tao ay hindi nasusukat sa dami ng followers…
kundi sa lalim ng relasyon niya sa Diyos.

At minsan, ang pinaka-importanteng role natin sa buhay ng iba ay hindi maging “center”…
kundi maging tulay para makilala nila si Jesus.

Sa araw na ito, baka ito ang tanong sa atin:

What kind of voice are we becoming?

Voice ba ng negativity?
Ng pride?
Ng judgment?

O voice ba na nagdadala ng tao palapit kay Lord?

Kasi sa mundong maingay…
baka mas kailangan ngayon ang mga taong marunong maging “voice before the noise.”

Tara, pray tayo…

Father God, salamat po sa paalala na maaari Ninyo kaming gamitin kahit simple at ordinaryo lamangkami. Tulungan Ninyo kaming maging boses ng pag-asa, katotohanan, at pagmamahal sa mundong punong ingay at gulo. Gawin Ninyo kaming mga taong nagtuturo ng daan papunta sa Inyo sa pamamagitan ng aming mga salita at gawa. Tulungan Ninyo kaming mabuhay hindi para sa sariling glory, kundi para saInyong pangalan. In Jesus Christ’s Name. Amen.

____________________________
Reflection from Carlo Jay Evardone
Curriculum Specialist, Center for Faculty Advancement

References
De La Salle, J. B. (1994). Meditations by John Baptist de La Salle. Lasallian Publications.https://media.lasallianresources.org/storage/media/dls-writings/dls-meditations-by-john-baptist-de-la-salle-1766410601.pdf
New American Bible Revised Edition. (2011). American Bible Society; United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. https://bible.usccb.org/
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2026). Liturgical calendar for the dioceses of the United States of America. https://www.usccb.org

Lasallian Encounters and Dialogue (LED)

Benilde Deaf School (BDS), Center for Institutional Helpdesk (CIH), and School of Environment and Design - Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM)
June 18-19, 2026 | Indang, Cavite

“Going Back to Reims: De La Salle’s Finding New Paths, Reflecting the Lasallian Exodus Experience”

“Going Back to Reims” is more than a retreat; it is a pilgrimage of the heart, a rediscovery of purpose, a renewal of calling, and a reawakening of zeal. It is a journey of returning, remembering, and renewing.

In our Lasallian Exodus experience, like De La Salle, we rediscover the God who calls us to find new paths, not away from mission, but deeper into it.

This Lasallian retreat is our sacred pause where “going back” becomes “the way forward”.

Live, Jesus, in our hearts forever!

Praying in Silence

The last sentence of today's Gospel is particularly striking: "And those who find it (the narrow gate and the constricted road) are few."

Everyone is busy with many things. To keep up with the demands of life and work, people often maintain a to-do list. However, spending quiet time in prayer should also be included on that list, for it is through prayer that we discover and receive the strength to pass through the narrow gate and walk the constricted road.

Our world is full of noise and distractions that keep us from recognizing what is most essential in life. Often, the loud voices of social media, video and audio streaming platforms, and countless human activities compete with, or sadly, drown out, the voice we most need to hear.

In silence, God meets us (1 Kings 19:11–13; 1 Samuel 3:1–10) to speak to us and ask how we are doing. In silence, we hear the voice of God encouraging us to rise after our falls and bringing peace to hearts that long for care and love. Silence can be intimidating because it is often uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Yet silence is not an obstacle to our spiritual growth. Rather, it is a friend who helps us encounter God more deeply.

So, how can we practice silence and hear God's voice? First, find a comfortable and conducive place for silent prayer. This could be your room, your parish church, or even an adoration chapel. Second, as you begin praying, ask for God's grace to remain silent and attentive to His words. Remember: He longs to speak with us and will find meaningful ways to do so.

In our daily routine, let us make it a priority to listen with the ears of our hearts to the Voice that created humanity out of pure and steadfast love, and to the Voice of His only Son, who offered His life for the redemption of our sins.

Let us pray....

Lord, You long to be with us, to speak with us, and to listen to what we truly want to say. Grant us the grace each day to spend time with You before we begin our daily activities. By giving You the place You deserve in our lives, we show that You are truly at the center of all that we do. Amen.

_______________________
Reflection from Ruel Aguirre
Faculty, Theology-Philosophy Area
School of Multidisciplinary Studies

Mass for the Departed

+Jay Binueza
Former Principal, Benilde Senior High School

There are lives that continue to speak long after their voices have fallen silent. Through their dedication, kindness, and steadfast commitment to forming young minds and hearts, they leave traces of grace that time cannot erase.

As a Lasallian community in Benilde, let us gather to remember, honor, and pray for +Jay Binueza, whose life and service have touched the Benildean community in meaningful ways. In the Eucharist, we entrust him to the loving mercy of God, giving thanks for the gift of his life and the legacy of hope, compassion, and commitment he leaves behind.

We invite everyone to join us in the Mass for the Departed on June 25, 2026 (Thursday), at 12:10 PM at the Chapel of the Resurrection, Taft Campus.

May our prayer be a testament to our gratitude, our communion in faith, and our hope in the promise of the Resurrection.

“Eternal rest grant unto +Jay, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”

Judgment with Love

Before we become quick to judge other people and point out their mistakes and shortcomings, we must first look at ourselves, our own mistakes and shortcomings. Are we truly free from them as much as we would like ourselves to be?

This point is what Jesus comes across in today’s gospel from Matthew (7:1-5). He tells us that we should not judge others, for the way in which we condemn and criticize them will be used equally against us as well. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?”

The notion of doing unto others as you want others to do unto you also comes into play. Who would want to be judged or belittled, knowing as well that some are hypocritical, who commit the same sins, and those who call out other people for their errors only when it is beneficial to them as well? In retrospect, we can deeply understand the feelings and emotions behind all of this since we, too, fall into temptation, stray further away from God because of our actions, and this is where reflection comes into place.

Jesus calls us to look inward and reflect on our thoughts, words, and actions, and recognize that we are far from perfect. We have our own ups and downs, our personal victories and struggles. With this continual realization, we can constantly better ourselves for our own sake and the sake of those around us, in the hopes that when we do “judge” or attempt to guide other people, that we do it out of justified concern, care, and love. I believe that with willpower, along with the watchful eyes of God, and the teachings that Jesus Christ bestowed upon us, we can fill our surroundings with a sense of patience and understanding, which will foster mental and spiritual growth for everyone.

Let us pray…

Dear God, thank You for the gift of today and every day. Please forgive us when we judge other people, with hypocrisy in mind and wrongful intention in our hearts. Grant us the strength to first look inward within ourselves. To realize that we too fall into temptation and commit mistakes, and with this newfound wisdom, help us grow as Benildean-Lasallians, friends, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters, so that in time, we may practice judgment with love and a desire to help. Amen.

__________________________
Reflection from Nicolas Tiongson
ID 122, AB Music Production

On this Father’s Day, we remember with gratitude the men whose quiet sacrifices became the foundations of our lives. Some are still with us, guiding and loving through their steadfast presence. Others now dwell in the embrace of God, yet continue to live in the values they taught, the faith they nurtured, and the love they gave without measure.

Today, we offer our prayers for all fathers, living and departed. May those among us be strengthened in their vocation to reflect the tenderness, wisdom, and fidelity of our Heavenly Father. And may those who have gone before us rest in eternal peace, their love forever remembered and their legacy forever cherished.

“A father’s greatest gift is not merely what he provides, but the life, faith, and love he inspires in others.”

Blessed by Grace, Loved by the Father

When I became a religious priest, my mother was praised by the people around her. They considered her blessed because she had a son who became a priest. She is indeed blessed, for she learned to offer her son in response to God’s call. She is truly blessed because someone prays for her every day in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, as told by her.

However, we should not measure blessings only by what others have received or by what we ourselves have achieved. We are already a blessing simply because of who we are. We are God’s gift. Each one of us is special in His eyes as His beloved child. As Jesus says in today’s gospel from Matthew (10:26-33), “So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Let us always be grateful, for we are not ordinary creatures. We are created in God's image and likeness; we are His beloved. To be blessed is not merely about what we gain, accomplish, or possess. Remember that whoever we are, whatever we do, and whatever kind of work we have, we remain precious and special in God’s eyes.

Today, we celebrate Father's Day in the secular world. We thank all fathers. Our biological or otherwise for their selfless love and dedication in providing for the needs of their families, for their generosity in sustaining the hopes and dreams of their loved ones, and for their faithful commitment as husbands and fathers. In the same way, our Almighty Father never gives up on us. He remains our protector, guiding and shielding us from evil.

Let us pray…

Thank You, Lord, for Your unfailing love and for seeing us as special even in the midst of our weaknesses and failures. Help us never to forget that our true worth comes not from what we achieve, but from being Your beloved children. Amen.

_____________________________________________
Reflection from Rev. Fr. Victor Clemence Posadas, SSS
Benilde Chaplain

Ang Amang Hindi Nagdamot

Hindi sa lahat ng oras, mapagbibigyan tayo.

The humble beginnings of Saint Benilde Romançon stemmed from a singular dream: to become a Brother-Teacher. Though his family was initially reluctant to support this desire, even pointing out that his short stature was far from ideal for a classroom leader, he remained steadfast. He eventually fulfilled that dream, standing proudly in front of his classes and capturing the hearts of every single student.

If he had simply succumbed to his father’s request to stay with them in Thuret, France, his life would have looked entirely different. Instead of shaping young minds, he likely would have spent his days working their land, running family errands, and living the quiet, ordinary life expected of most young men at the time.

Isa siguro sa pinakamahirap para sa isang ama ang hindi mapagbigyan ng kanyang anak.

It would have been entirely understandable if his father had reacted with anger, bitterness, or resentment. Yet, he chose to support his son while gently asking him to reconsider, casually slipping in a request to return home. It was a request that Br. Benilde listened wholeheartedly, but ultimately had to decline respectfully because a greater mission was already engraved in his heart. Had his father been able to witness his son's entire journey: managing schools, enduring physical ailments, and bearing the silent sacrifices of a life dedicated to teaching… he would have seen how truly remarkable his son was as an administrator, educator, and person. Perhaps, he would have continuously supported him without the lingering pressure for him to return home. But a father’s longing never truly fades; it silently endures the pain of distance and the challenges of letting go, all for the sake of love.

In many ways, God’s love for us reflects the love of an earthly father: quiet, constant, and appreciative of whatever we can give. It does not beg or demand drama. It reminds me of my “Tatay Caloy”, whose simple happiness is falling asleep in front of the television, completely at peace as long as he knows his family is safe. Perhaps this was why Saint Benilde’s father was able to pass away in peace, even after a failed final attempt to visit his son at one of the schools he managed. The seeds of goodness he had planted in Benilde reassured him that he had done well as a parent, and that his son was exactly where he was meant to be.

Buti na lang din, hindi niya napagbigyan ang kanyang tatay na umuwi na lamang. Dahil sa kanyang pagtitiwala sa kanyang bokasyon, ang mga mabuting asal at biyaya ng Panginoon ay patuloy na dumadaloy hanggang sa ating kasalukuyang panahon dito sa ating institusyon.

Salamat sa Amang hindi nagdamot, at sa Anak na sa Diyos ay hindi rin nagdamot!

Let us pray…

Lord, we thank You for the gift of wisdom to understand our current situations and struggles. Help us see the goodness in our fathers' actions and intentions. May they be touched by Your loving grace, and may they realize that no earthly treasure is worth more than a child’s longing for a father’s embrace andpresence. May we learn to welcome and support those who are in need, and may we learn to respond to those who are calling out for help. Fill us with the wisdom to be understanding at all times. And grant us the grace to entrust to You the things we can no longer control. Amen.


_____________________________
Reflection from Clarenz Penequito
Religion Teacher, Benilde Senior High School

References:
“M2.1: Life Lesson from the Lives of the Founder and Patron”
“The Little One” 2015 - Animated film, produced by ToonBro Animations, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde- BSHS SSLIFE1 Modules