“Her YES never wavered, because Mary gave her full YES: 100% total trust and surrender to the Lord. Her YES unified all the YES of the prophets throughout the history of Israel… and the whole Christendom were blessed and millions of people believed in the Gospel of Jesus!”
These profound words were shared by Bro. Mike Bukuhan, member of the CFC International Council, during the Mission Core Gathering last March 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.
This month’s Mission Core Gathering centered on the theme “A Yes That Unites”, to remind CFC leaders that it is through our shared “yes”, our common faith, and common mission that we become one Body, one Spirit, one Church. When each couple and family say yes to God, to love, and to mission, we strengthen the unity of the Body of Christ.
During the celebration of the Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. Joel O. Jason, CFC Spiritual Adviser, delivered a rousing Lenten recollection to invite the faithful to grow, not just go, through the 40 days of Lent. In his homily, he likened the Annunciation, where Mary said her YES to becoming the bearer of God, to the Transfiguration—where Jesus’ human body bore the divinity of God. For Fr. Joel, the faithful are also invited “to bear in their person the person of God”, which will happen when they give their authentic, prophetic, and systemic YES to Him.
“Allow the YES of Mary to be our own YES,” Fr. Joel said, “so that when we say YES to the Lord, we may also experience our own Transfiguration.”
Before the final blessing, Fr. Joel prayed over the newly appointed leaders for the CFC International Missions in the Middle East, South and North Asia, Micronesia, Australasia, UAE, and West Africa, as well as for the Philippine Missions in Aurora, Pangasinan, Cavite, and Isabela.
Our Common Faith and Mission
During the opening worship, Bro. Mike Bukuhan led CFC leaders to glorify the Lord “for Your everlasting encouragement, for Your constant accompaniment, and for giving us Your eternal hope,” as well as to thank Him “for the wisdom, the virtues and the grace to make us understand Your will upon us – most especially in challenging times.”
CFC leaders then testified how their YES to serve, even without knowing the outcome, allowed them to find holiness in the daily and unseen, where they were sustained by the Holy Spirit amidst periods of darkness until they encountered God’s mercy in community, prayer, and the sacraments.
CFC leaders shared how they served despite retirement and the call to mission abroad, amidst unanswered prayers, debilitating illnesses, and even abandonment. Truly, in the words of one sharer, “No act of service is too small, no offering is too insignificant. The vineyard is wide, the harvest is ready. We are just scratching the surface of the world, and He needs our YES.”
This month, may we rediscover what it truly means to say YES to the Lord, to choose faithfulness over our pride, mercy over judgment, and love over self-interest. May we say YES to the Holy Spirit to create a new heart and spirit within us, so that our sorrows may be transformed to joy.
