“This Lent, let’s not just give up things but gain a deeper understanding of God’s love and provision. Let’s enter our personal deserts, trusting that God’s presence is our true comfort. We will lead others through the desert by entering it ourselves, keeping our eyes on becoming more like Jesus.” shared Bro. Rey Reyes, member of the CFC International Council.
This was during the Mission Core Gathering last February 1, 2026, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila. The MCG is a monthly prayer assembly for Couples for Christ’s leaders from different sectors, family ministries, and programs.
With the theme “Not My Will But Yours”, this month’s Mission Core Gathering invited CFC leaders to view the Lenten season as an honest call to return to God, encouraging them to name their distractions and allow themselves to be freed from such by God’s mercy.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Feliciano R. Gutierrez, Parish Priest of San Sebastian Parish in the Diocese of Pasig and Spiritual Adviser of CFC Central B, described how the political system in Jesus’ time was no different than it is today: government officials entrusted with people’s welfare abused their influence for personal gain. He highlighted how the theme of the First Reading was that of God’s judgment, where Zephaniah contradicts the notion that we receive God’s blessings because of our outward expression of love for Him, like how priests in the temple during Jesus’ time acted pridefully because of their esteemed position in society. Instead, as emphasized in the Gospel,
Jesus reminds us, through the Beatitudes, that God blesses those who are humble and meek. “Masaya tayo kasi wala tayong inaasahan kundi ang Diyos (We are happy because we rely on no one else but God),” says Fr. Gutierrez, and truly, our faithful God never abandons those who rely on His power and mercy.
The MCG continued with updates from CFC’s Related Companies. Bro. Jon San Miguel joyfully announced significant progress in the training program of the Missio Amare Prison Service. The 23 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) whom CFC supported for arc welding training had successfully passed the TESDA assessments and were given the National Certificate (NC) to confirm that they have met the national standards for the skill of arc welding. Four of these PDLs have already been released from prison—and of these four, two have formally returned to the workforce.
Bro. Noli Manuel, Executive Director of Missio Amare, then invited CFC leaders to join in celebrating Missio Amare’s second anniversary, as the legal entity Tekton Social Development Association, Inc. He also announced the launch of the Missio Amare Health and Wellness Program, which will be led by Bro. Val and Sis. Ding Maring, members of the GCare Board of Trustees.
CFC leaders were then invited to a spirit-filled worship by Bro. Rey Reyes. For him, Lent reminds us that our journey towards Jesus is filled with various deserts—specifically, the good and bad experiences that shaped who we are today. He noted how the Israelites’ journey, as told through the Bible, was marked by grumbling against God, despite having demonstrated His faithfulness through miracles: the parting of the Red Sea, food from heaven, water in the desert, and the ten plagues of Egypt. Yet God met their discontentment with provision and guidance, and led them to the wilderness where He taught them to trust in Him.
Indeed, the Israelites experienced both the bitter and sweet of God’s goodness. And as CFC leaders enter the Lenten season, Bro. Rey emphasized how God’s presence must be their anchor in their personal deserts, to avoid the temptation of returning to the enslavement of sin. He concluded by exhorting CFC leaders to magnify God, and diminish the power of everything else around them. The prayer assembly then proceeded with sharings about what Bro. Rey described as testimonies of grace: to forgive despite hurts and disappointments, and to keep hoping for one another despite the challenges.
As one community walking through the desert of Lent, we continue to pray for the Lord’s guidance, that the seeds of conversion may take root in our hearts and allow us to grow into a deeper relationship with Him. We entrust our families and communities to God, that we may we be transformed to reflect His love and come to be one in the One.
