Some facts about doing my laundry
by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
The Season of Lent has two important invitations: to turn away from sin and to be faithful in the message of the Gospel. I believe, nobody will ever be challenged by these injunctions unless he has gone deep into himself and be aware of what is going on in his life. I think this is what happened to me in the past days. Paradoxically, the things that I have been carrying out in routine, say, doing my laundry, has opened my awareness to the recurring issues I keep on dealing with myself in the past twenty-eight years of my personal journey. What seemed to be tedious and boring has turned out to be an opportunity for self-discovery, and that I was able to regress inwardly as I searched for inner peace and healing.
Hence, allow me to share to you some facts about doing my laundry...
WASH
It’s been ages that I washed my clothes with my bare hands. As far as I can remember, the last time I stretched and crumpled those dirty shirts of mine was when the pulsator of our washing machine at home screwed up and I had no choice but to put everything inside the large tub, and let my 10 fingers do the job. Now I am doing it again, reminding myself that everything has to start from the basic...
At the back of my mind, I was torn between living the easy life and taking responsibility for myself…I have been so used in getting things done in a jiffy that my understanding of personal accountability and trustworthiness were shrouded…I was so into my comfort zones lately that I almost forgot where I actually came from…I know that I have endured a lot through the years but my painless and worry-free disposition has reduced my memory to practicality…all I ever wanted was an easy life and there was a point in time that I thought everything was possible…but in reality, it wasn’t. Just like washing my clothes, life is difficult…
RINSE
I usually rinse my clothes three times before I finally drench it in a separate tub of fabric conditioner mixed with water. This is to make sure that what I will be wearing is free from remnants of soap suds. I just don’t like the impression that my laundry was haphazardly done especially when my folks notice some white marks on my shirt as if I applied too much baby powder on my body (which I don’t usually do)…I am also very particular with stains. If they still remain after several washing, I would throw or give that shirt away.
In life, there have been instances that I hate myself because of my woundedness…that I often question my credibility and worthiness, thinking that I don’t deserve anything…that happiness can never be free or spontaneous because I have to work hard for it all the time…like the stains on my shirt, there are certain experiences that I’d rather forget because it is too painful to remember…only to realize later on that facing it squarely, when I had the chance, would have made me courageous and strong…sometimes ,I feel bad when the "ghosts" of my past would haunt me again because I have deliberately thrown them away…Now, I am reminded that there is such a thing called “grace” and this “grace” is usually build on nature.
DRY
Drying my clothes is not a simple task for I have to bear the scorching heat of the sun…or better wait for several days before I can finally wear my favorite shirt if it’s raining…or put it inside the dryer and spin it in eternity...Occasionally (and with much desperation), I’d like to defy time, ironing my damp clothes forcibly so that I can use them again, only to be embarrassed later on that they are not actually parched up but stinky.
In life, there are occasions when I get so impatient over certain matters…that I jump easily to conclusion without weighing down the odds…that I have been so attached to the results of my words and actions that I have failed to look closely into myself and discern which is more loving and life-giving…and then, I am reminded once again that my thoughts are faster than my words so that I can ponder things well inside my mind before blurting them out…and that I can be reasonable enough to control myself for the greater good…
FOLD
I am a certified “neat freak”. Folding clothes for me is like solving a geometrical equation , where I would painstakingly pleat every edges in order to come up with a perfect square…more so, I would arrange them neatly- segregating the whites from coloreds, the plain shirts from printed shirts, the crew necks from v-necks, those with "sleeves" from those without "sleeves. It gives me satisfaction and contentment to see my cabinet in order…I would always aim for tidiness and harmony…
At times, I’d like to see life that way too…that everything’s fixed and all I have to do is to rely on what has been planned or scheduled. but having this idealism has left me frustrated in the past years…there are things that are beyond my control…in the end, I am only invited to take risk and let go for life is not all about precision…I will learn so much if I have the willingness to compromise and be comfortable with the occasional mistakes that I have committed. Failure makes sense sometimes. It makes me grow better as a person.
Perhaps, I should thank our labandera for making me realize these things once again. Salamat Nang Minda!
Showing posts with label Heartbeats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heartbeats. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Why we love?
Why we love?
by Rev. Fr. Rex Paul Arjona
It is February, which many people now calls the “love month”. This sociological itch to extend the celebration of certain events that people can’t get enough of – February 14 in this case – makes for an interesting study.
This heightened interest also provides an opportunity to reflect on the theme of love – beyond the mushiness, hopefully.
So what is love anyway?
Wikipedia, the iconic resource of knowledge of almost everything in the information age (which made our search for answers democratic, pluralistic, and, more than one cares to admit, oftentimes reliable) defines love as “any of a number of emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong affection and attachment. The word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure to intense interpersonal attraction.”
St. Thomas Aquinas describes love as a “concupiscible passion”, i.e., a feeling evoked by being drawn to a beloved, which does not only mean a romantic interest, but also extends to things, ideals and, of course, God.
Pope Benedict XVI’s first papal encyclical is an extended discourse on the centrality of love in Christianity, Deus caritas est, “God is love”. He sought to clarify and reconcile two Greek words and ideas on love: eros, which has a possessive nature expressed in the desire of the lover to possess the beloved, and agape, self-sacrificing love, in which the lover offers himself for the good of the beloved.
For Pope Benedict, genuine Christian love does not seek to eliminate eros, which is good in itself, but to complement and complete it with agape. The best model for agape is God himself. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3,16).
Elizabeth Barrett-Browning asked in her classic love poem, “How do I love thee?” Now, let us count some of the ways by which we love.
Love of God. The two great truths shared by Christianity, Judaism and Islam are (1) that we have only God, and (2) this God loves us. And so the most apt response for us humans is to love God back. Thus, to the question “What is the greatest commandment?”, Jesus replied, quoting the Jewish prayer Shema: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mt. 22,37).
Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. wrote the most stirring words on loving God: “Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
Love of Neighbor. The greatest commandment is not complete without the next verse: “The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt. 22,38).
Apart from self-love, love of neighbor is peculiarly informed by yet another virtue: justice. The compassion of love is thus extended especially to the weak and disadvantaged, and to the assurance that fairness and equality should be given to everyone. Love of neighbor is also extended to the larger community, to nations and to the rest of creation.
Among the most sublime lines written on the love of neighbor via the aspirations for national unity and freedom is Andres Bonifacio’s nationalistic paean Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa: “Áling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya, sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila, gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa? Wala na nga, wala…”
Love of Family, Friends, Romantic Interest. There is a need to distinguish between the more universal love of neighbor and the love that governs special relationships. There are degrees to our relationship with people; some we love more than others. This is not being unfair. This reality actually refers to the very nature and logic of our being relational beings. Even God, in order to bring about universal salvation, elects first His “Chosen People”.
The virtue that informs this expression of love is fidelity. The virtue ethicist, Fr. James Keenan, SJ, describes fidelity as “the virtue that nurtures and sustains the bonds of those special relationships that we enjoy whether by blood, marriage, love, or sacrament. Fidelity requires that we treat with special care those who are closer to us.”
The drama and finality of fidelity is most profoundly expressed in the Christian marriage rite: “I take you, for my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
Love of Self or self-care is different from being selfish or self-centered. It is more than just possessing self-esteem or self-respect. Self-care is rooted in our genetic and natural predisposition for self-preservation and survival. Jesus Himself recognizes its importance when he taught about the second greatest commandment as based on one’s love for oneself. Indeed, a healthy love of self is the basis for all our loving relationships.
One of the most celebrated cases of child abuse and survival is that of David James Pelzer. His story is chronicled in the three books he wrote: A Child Called It, The Lost Boy, and A Man Named Dave. As a child, Dave was abused by his mother, who thought of it as a game. Among other things, he was starved, forced to drink ammonia, and was once stabbed in the chest. His teachers finally stepped in when he was 12, and he was placed in foster care. Dave Pelzer narrates in his books his struggle to trust people and engage in loving relationships, seeing himself as broken and lacking in initial experience of loving affirming relationships.
The point is without a healthy sense of self-love, it is difficult to love others in a healthy affirming way as well. I remember a saying I learned in my high school Latin classes: nemo dat quod non habet, “one cannot give what one doesn’t have”.
Why we love. So why do we love? Why do we embrace this complex beguiling and consuming emotion, sometimes with all the human energy that we can muster?
As the song says, “We are made for loving.” If God is love, and the Trinity is a communion of love, and if we are created in the image and likeness of God, then the way towards self-fulfillment and self-actualization, indeed, towards our destiny, is to love.
Rev. Fr. Rex Paul Arjona was ordained priest on December 8, 2006 and presently the Chancellor of the Diocese of Legazpi, Province of Albay.
by Rev. Fr. Rex Paul Arjona
It is February, which many people now calls the “love month”. This sociological itch to extend the celebration of certain events that people can’t get enough of – February 14 in this case – makes for an interesting study.
This heightened interest also provides an opportunity to reflect on the theme of love – beyond the mushiness, hopefully.
So what is love anyway?
Wikipedia, the iconic resource of knowledge of almost everything in the information age (which made our search for answers democratic, pluralistic, and, more than one cares to admit, oftentimes reliable) defines love as “any of a number of emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong affection and attachment. The word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure to intense interpersonal attraction.”
St. Thomas Aquinas describes love as a “concupiscible passion”, i.e., a feeling evoked by being drawn to a beloved, which does not only mean a romantic interest, but also extends to things, ideals and, of course, God.
Pope Benedict XVI’s first papal encyclical is an extended discourse on the centrality of love in Christianity, Deus caritas est, “God is love”. He sought to clarify and reconcile two Greek words and ideas on love: eros, which has a possessive nature expressed in the desire of the lover to possess the beloved, and agape, self-sacrificing love, in which the lover offers himself for the good of the beloved.
For Pope Benedict, genuine Christian love does not seek to eliminate eros, which is good in itself, but to complement and complete it with agape. The best model for agape is God himself. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3,16).
Elizabeth Barrett-Browning asked in her classic love poem, “How do I love thee?” Now, let us count some of the ways by which we love.
Love of God. The two great truths shared by Christianity, Judaism and Islam are (1) that we have only God, and (2) this God loves us. And so the most apt response for us humans is to love God back. Thus, to the question “What is the greatest commandment?”, Jesus replied, quoting the Jewish prayer Shema: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mt. 22,37).
Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. wrote the most stirring words on loving God: “Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
Love of Neighbor. The greatest commandment is not complete without the next verse: “The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt. 22,38).
Apart from self-love, love of neighbor is peculiarly informed by yet another virtue: justice. The compassion of love is thus extended especially to the weak and disadvantaged, and to the assurance that fairness and equality should be given to everyone. Love of neighbor is also extended to the larger community, to nations and to the rest of creation.
Among the most sublime lines written on the love of neighbor via the aspirations for national unity and freedom is Andres Bonifacio’s nationalistic paean Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa: “Áling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya, sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila, gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa? Wala na nga, wala…”
Love of Family, Friends, Romantic Interest. There is a need to distinguish between the more universal love of neighbor and the love that governs special relationships. There are degrees to our relationship with people; some we love more than others. This is not being unfair. This reality actually refers to the very nature and logic of our being relational beings. Even God, in order to bring about universal salvation, elects first His “Chosen People”.
The virtue that informs this expression of love is fidelity. The virtue ethicist, Fr. James Keenan, SJ, describes fidelity as “the virtue that nurtures and sustains the bonds of those special relationships that we enjoy whether by blood, marriage, love, or sacrament. Fidelity requires that we treat with special care those who are closer to us.”
The drama and finality of fidelity is most profoundly expressed in the Christian marriage rite: “I take you, for my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
Love of Self or self-care is different from being selfish or self-centered. It is more than just possessing self-esteem or self-respect. Self-care is rooted in our genetic and natural predisposition for self-preservation and survival. Jesus Himself recognizes its importance when he taught about the second greatest commandment as based on one’s love for oneself. Indeed, a healthy love of self is the basis for all our loving relationships.
One of the most celebrated cases of child abuse and survival is that of David James Pelzer. His story is chronicled in the three books he wrote: A Child Called It, The Lost Boy, and A Man Named Dave. As a child, Dave was abused by his mother, who thought of it as a game. Among other things, he was starved, forced to drink ammonia, and was once stabbed in the chest. His teachers finally stepped in when he was 12, and he was placed in foster care. Dave Pelzer narrates in his books his struggle to trust people and engage in loving relationships, seeing himself as broken and lacking in initial experience of loving affirming relationships.
The point is without a healthy sense of self-love, it is difficult to love others in a healthy affirming way as well. I remember a saying I learned in my high school Latin classes: nemo dat quod non habet, “one cannot give what one doesn’t have”.
Why we love. So why do we love? Why do we embrace this complex beguiling and consuming emotion, sometimes with all the human energy that we can muster?
As the song says, “We are made for loving.” If God is love, and the Trinity is a communion of love, and if we are created in the image and likeness of God, then the way towards self-fulfillment and self-actualization, indeed, towards our destiny, is to love.
Rev. Fr. Rex Paul Arjona was ordained priest on December 8, 2006 and presently the Chancellor of the Diocese of Legazpi, Province of Albay.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A Love Story
A Love Story
Heartbeats by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
At last, my love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
Oh, yeah, at last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clovers
The night I looked at you
I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to rest my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
Oh, yeah when you smile, you smile
Oh, and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
For you are mine
At last
- Etta James, At last
I am a self-confessed hopeless romantic. I usually get this giddy feeling every time I watch dreamy love stories on the boob tube or listen to soul-gripping ballads on the radio. At times, it’s nice to lose myself to every scenes of the movie or to every lyrics of the song because I am constantly presented with the many facets of love---the joy, the fulfilment, the confusion, the loneliness, the pain, and the anger it brings. But just when I thought that I already had this utter indulgence on the quintessential longing of the human heart and spirit, there is still so much to learn, especially if you deal with love in real life.
I am saying this because I was reminded of a couple I met a year ago. In my own experience, perhaps I can say that they are regarded as the most bizarre yet if there’s one great love story ever told, it would have to be theirs, since they have stood all the dire odds just to fight for each other. They have shown me that love is not just an implied sentiment that can satisfy one’s yearning for companionship, but a journey that defies time and circumstance, liberating an individual from all the suspicions of this seemingly disapproving world, leading him to truth and serenity.
Allow me to share to you their story:
He’s 75 and she’s 50. They have been together for more than twenty years, but every day, they are being sneered at by the prying eyes of their neighborhood because of the fact that their relationship was allegedly incestuous. According to their family story, the woman was believed to be the granddaughter of the man and we know for sure that in a culture defined by religious moral codes, this case is scandalous for most. Thus, they would often stoop down their heads every time they meet groups of people because of shame and guilt which they don’t actually deserve. For the longest time, they have been the recurrent subjects of mockery and gossip because their neighbors would at times swear that they are such a disgrace to the community.
One fateful day, the man was asked to do a menial job at the convent and he had a conversation with the parish priest. As time progressed, they became friends and the parish priest knew about the couple’s sad plight. They were actually eager to get married in the church in order to end all speculations but because their relationship was still considered a taboo by the unsympathetic community, they just decided to be tight-lipped on the matter and eluded their desire of sanctifying their union, even if their children are already getting older. In an attempt to help resolve the issue of this couple, the parish priest submitted their case to the chancery office for deliberation. An investigation followed. As a result, it turned out that the grandmother of the woman, who believed to be the older sister of the man, was not in fact, his real sister. The mother of “her” mother is just “his” half-sister and that made their relationship valid because it was not incestuous at all. As soon as the records were validated, everything was prepared for their wedding. The parish priest’s insistence to clear out the issue of this couple was inspired by the fact that they have truly loved each other. They stood up for their relationship despite the many years of unkind treatment from people who can’t seem to understand the real meaning of love. Their journey was really gruelling but then they have managed to cross the boundaries, unfazed by constant insults, indifference and rejection. Their triumph has become a testimony of a commitment that is for keeps and their unwavering love for each other has indeed explained all the ambiguities brought about by human logic and justification. It is a revelation of a mystery, gradually unfolded through constant witnessing that enables the individual to let go and be free to love and be loved in return.
I wasn’t able to attend their wedding, but I’m pretty sure that they were the happiest couple in the whole world. Lately, I just heard from somebody that whenever they pass by the neighborhood, their happy faces would show the dignity and self-respect that were once deprived from them. They can now bump into anybody with much joy and confidence. In this crazy-making life, it is never too late to be at peace with your one true love...and finding that one true love is enough reason to face all the odds. At last, love has given them so much freedom to choose happiness and meaning despite the adversity. Their union is more than just a fairy-tale because they have proven to everybody that love does not have happy endings for it simply never ends. Now, I do not wonder why love is coupled with forever.
Happy Valentines Day!
Heartbeats by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
At last, my love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
Oh, yeah, at last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clovers
The night I looked at you
I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to rest my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
Oh, yeah when you smile, you smile
Oh, and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
For you are mine
At last
- Etta James, At last
I am a self-confessed hopeless romantic. I usually get this giddy feeling every time I watch dreamy love stories on the boob tube or listen to soul-gripping ballads on the radio. At times, it’s nice to lose myself to every scenes of the movie or to every lyrics of the song because I am constantly presented with the many facets of love---the joy, the fulfilment, the confusion, the loneliness, the pain, and the anger it brings. But just when I thought that I already had this utter indulgence on the quintessential longing of the human heart and spirit, there is still so much to learn, especially if you deal with love in real life.
I am saying this because I was reminded of a couple I met a year ago. In my own experience, perhaps I can say that they are regarded as the most bizarre yet if there’s one great love story ever told, it would have to be theirs, since they have stood all the dire odds just to fight for each other. They have shown me that love is not just an implied sentiment that can satisfy one’s yearning for companionship, but a journey that defies time and circumstance, liberating an individual from all the suspicions of this seemingly disapproving world, leading him to truth and serenity.
Allow me to share to you their story:
He’s 75 and she’s 50. They have been together for more than twenty years, but every day, they are being sneered at by the prying eyes of their neighborhood because of the fact that their relationship was allegedly incestuous. According to their family story, the woman was believed to be the granddaughter of the man and we know for sure that in a culture defined by religious moral codes, this case is scandalous for most. Thus, they would often stoop down their heads every time they meet groups of people because of shame and guilt which they don’t actually deserve. For the longest time, they have been the recurrent subjects of mockery and gossip because their neighbors would at times swear that they are such a disgrace to the community.
One fateful day, the man was asked to do a menial job at the convent and he had a conversation with the parish priest. As time progressed, they became friends and the parish priest knew about the couple’s sad plight. They were actually eager to get married in the church in order to end all speculations but because their relationship was still considered a taboo by the unsympathetic community, they just decided to be tight-lipped on the matter and eluded their desire of sanctifying their union, even if their children are already getting older. In an attempt to help resolve the issue of this couple, the parish priest submitted their case to the chancery office for deliberation. An investigation followed. As a result, it turned out that the grandmother of the woman, who believed to be the older sister of the man, was not in fact, his real sister. The mother of “her” mother is just “his” half-sister and that made their relationship valid because it was not incestuous at all. As soon as the records were validated, everything was prepared for their wedding. The parish priest’s insistence to clear out the issue of this couple was inspired by the fact that they have truly loved each other. They stood up for their relationship despite the many years of unkind treatment from people who can’t seem to understand the real meaning of love. Their journey was really gruelling but then they have managed to cross the boundaries, unfazed by constant insults, indifference and rejection. Their triumph has become a testimony of a commitment that is for keeps and their unwavering love for each other has indeed explained all the ambiguities brought about by human logic and justification. It is a revelation of a mystery, gradually unfolded through constant witnessing that enables the individual to let go and be free to love and be loved in return.
I wasn’t able to attend their wedding, but I’m pretty sure that they were the happiest couple in the whole world. Lately, I just heard from somebody that whenever they pass by the neighborhood, their happy faces would show the dignity and self-respect that were once deprived from them. They can now bump into anybody with much joy and confidence. In this crazy-making life, it is never too late to be at peace with your one true love...and finding that one true love is enough reason to face all the odds. At last, love has given them so much freedom to choose happiness and meaning despite the adversity. Their union is more than just a fairy-tale because they have proven to everybody that love does not have happy endings for it simply never ends. Now, I do not wonder why love is coupled with forever.
Happy Valentines Day!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
JUST AN AFTERTHOUGHT
JUST AN AFTERTHOUGHT
Heartbeats by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
Posted in an on-line news report:
When Manny Pacquiao goes on the ring to complete his "unfinished business" with Juan Manuel Marquez on Sunday, March 16, 2008, the Philippine National Police (PNP) expects another zero-crime rate in the country. PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome on Thursday said authorities anticipate most Filipinos to be hooked to their television sets again during the duration of Pacquiao's boxing match with Marquez. "Just like in the past fights of Manny Pacquiao, we expect again a tremendous decrease in the crime volume this Sunday, or even to the extent of anticipating a zero-crime rate during the period of the fight", Bartolome said in a news briefing at Camp Crame. "This goes to show that we Filipinos are really in support of a countryman who will again show the true form of a Filipino boxer" he added. But Bartolome assured the public that despite this anticipated low crime incidence, the PNP will not let down its guard, especially against criminals who might also take advantage of the situation."Even during the boxing bouts of Pacquiao, the PNP does not relax. It doesn't mean that the PNP will not do its job anymore", Bartolome said.
The last time that the crime in our country went down drastically was when Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines in 1995, during the celebration of World Youth Day.
And Manny Pacquiao was not yet a boxing legend.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t like Manny Pacquaio at all. In fact, I admire him for making us Filipinos proud for all the achievements and honor he has given not just for himself but for our country. I am only seeing a paradox here. We equate a boxing phenomenon with a Pope. The former just knocked out his opponent after several rounds of heavy punching in what seemed to be a bloody fight, while the latter is a Holy Man, whose Sainthood is on the process. I don’t see any parallelism between the two but I think the Boxer prevailed over the Pope. I even overheard from somebody that Manny Pacquiao could be an answer to our nation’s prevailing problems: “Mas maayo kung pirme may boxing match si Manny Pacquiao, at least naganubo ang insidente sang krimen diri sa aton pungsod!”.
An Irony of Ironies!
But it was very well-said. I totally agree that a proclaimed hero has done something to alleviate the many felonies of this often-troubled country. Yet, this truth has also brought me to an aching realization about certain things that didn’t work well during the recent fiesta celebration. I think something is missing and trust me, it’s not on the externals. The Feast of Our Lady of Candles this year was successful in terms of preparation, organization, and coordination. In fact, the event itself was a big accomplishment. But mind you, just when we thought that things were perfectly fine, there were untoward incidents that were not brought into the light that need to be pondered this time if we wish to assess our growth as mature and responsible Christians. I don’t intend to sound negative but I just want to speak the truth.
And here are the painful truths:
In a seemingly prayerful and festive mood, lies the evil scheme of pilfering from those unsuspecting believers who only wanted to fulfil their yearly devotion to our Lady. Few days after the fiesta, a driver told me that one passenger got inside his taxicab crying profusely because her wallet was stolen while she was attending the 7:00 Pontifical Mass inside the Jaro Cathedral. The driver was stark-raving mad as he uttered cursing words to show his disgust over the thief who used the Eucharistic Celebration to pounce on gullible church goers.
In a noble attempt to help people generate income, as they try to make a meagre but decent living by selling candles as consignment, lies the malevolence of jeopardizing the principle of supply and demand, taking advantage of those helpless buyers of the Candelaria Perdon by hoarding and stipulating a rocket-high price when stocks were decreasing in the late afternoon (from Php 100.00 selling price per pack of five candles to Php 150.00!). How’s that??? It was very, very, very un-Christian!
If only Manny Pacquiao could stage his boxing match on February 2 next year, I think the fiesta will be spared from these atrocious thieves and hoarders. Maybe Jaro will be a hundred percent (100%) peaceful and crime-free place to live in even just for a day.
I’m sure, the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria will be a lot happier this time.
Heartbeats by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
Posted in an on-line news report:
When Manny Pacquiao goes on the ring to complete his "unfinished business" with Juan Manuel Marquez on Sunday, March 16, 2008, the Philippine National Police (PNP) expects another zero-crime rate in the country. PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome on Thursday said authorities anticipate most Filipinos to be hooked to their television sets again during the duration of Pacquiao's boxing match with Marquez. "Just like in the past fights of Manny Pacquiao, we expect again a tremendous decrease in the crime volume this Sunday, or even to the extent of anticipating a zero-crime rate during the period of the fight", Bartolome said in a news briefing at Camp Crame. "This goes to show that we Filipinos are really in support of a countryman who will again show the true form of a Filipino boxer" he added. But Bartolome assured the public that despite this anticipated low crime incidence, the PNP will not let down its guard, especially against criminals who might also take advantage of the situation."Even during the boxing bouts of Pacquiao, the PNP does not relax. It doesn't mean that the PNP will not do its job anymore", Bartolome said.
The last time that the crime in our country went down drastically was when Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines in 1995, during the celebration of World Youth Day.
And Manny Pacquiao was not yet a boxing legend.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t like Manny Pacquaio at all. In fact, I admire him for making us Filipinos proud for all the achievements and honor he has given not just for himself but for our country. I am only seeing a paradox here. We equate a boxing phenomenon with a Pope. The former just knocked out his opponent after several rounds of heavy punching in what seemed to be a bloody fight, while the latter is a Holy Man, whose Sainthood is on the process. I don’t see any parallelism between the two but I think the Boxer prevailed over the Pope. I even overheard from somebody that Manny Pacquiao could be an answer to our nation’s prevailing problems: “Mas maayo kung pirme may boxing match si Manny Pacquiao, at least naganubo ang insidente sang krimen diri sa aton pungsod!”.
An Irony of Ironies!
But it was very well-said. I totally agree that a proclaimed hero has done something to alleviate the many felonies of this often-troubled country. Yet, this truth has also brought me to an aching realization about certain things that didn’t work well during the recent fiesta celebration. I think something is missing and trust me, it’s not on the externals. The Feast of Our Lady of Candles this year was successful in terms of preparation, organization, and coordination. In fact, the event itself was a big accomplishment. But mind you, just when we thought that things were perfectly fine, there were untoward incidents that were not brought into the light that need to be pondered this time if we wish to assess our growth as mature and responsible Christians. I don’t intend to sound negative but I just want to speak the truth.
And here are the painful truths:
In a seemingly prayerful and festive mood, lies the evil scheme of pilfering from those unsuspecting believers who only wanted to fulfil their yearly devotion to our Lady. Few days after the fiesta, a driver told me that one passenger got inside his taxicab crying profusely because her wallet was stolen while she was attending the 7:00 Pontifical Mass inside the Jaro Cathedral. The driver was stark-raving mad as he uttered cursing words to show his disgust over the thief who used the Eucharistic Celebration to pounce on gullible church goers.
In a noble attempt to help people generate income, as they try to make a meagre but decent living by selling candles as consignment, lies the malevolence of jeopardizing the principle of supply and demand, taking advantage of those helpless buyers of the Candelaria Perdon by hoarding and stipulating a rocket-high price when stocks were decreasing in the late afternoon (from Php 100.00 selling price per pack of five candles to Php 150.00!). How’s that??? It was very, very, very un-Christian!
If only Manny Pacquiao could stage his boxing match on February 2 next year, I think the fiesta will be spared from these atrocious thieves and hoarders. Maybe Jaro will be a hundred percent (100%) peaceful and crime-free place to live in even just for a day.
I’m sure, the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria will be a lot happier this time.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
MUCH ADO ABOUT THE FIESTA CELEBRATION
MUCH ADO ABOUT THE FIESTA CELEBRATION
Heartbeats by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
I am looking forward to the Feast of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria on February 2. You see, I have been away for seven years and there’s a sense of anticipation in my heart to witness the festivity which I used to enjoy before. When I was still in Manila, I would only hear news from people who vaguely described the event, making me swear with regret that it could’ve been better if I was actually present to witness the celebration.
As I count the days, I can’t help but remember those fond memories I had years ago, when I indulged myself with the hustle and bustle of the entire district. Jaro fiesta will always be associated with tourists, devotees, and guests barging into the cathedral doors in order to attend the Eucharistic celebration; The Perdon candles that are being sold like hotcakes at the right side of the parish compound; The “Palapak” where some old folks would ask you to have their clothes, hankies and even their entire body blessed by the image of Our Lady; The 4:00 p.m. traditional procession that temporarily stops the usual 360 degrees rotation of the earth from its axis as people from all walks of life pause for a while and witness not just the opulence but the religiosity of the Jareños; The “Halad kay Maria” where a teenage girl would stand at the balcony before the awaiting crowd, recite the often difficult lines in Spanish, and later express the believing community’s devotion to Our Lady in a crisp yet understated inflection which is typical of Ilonggos; The annual carnival and the agro-industrial fair that never ceased to delight one’s discriminating senses, obliging him to do some haggling for the many good finds that caught his attention; The coronation of the festival queen where it is usually attended by prominent figures in politics and society; And of course, the overflowing food and drinks that are being served in every homes, conveying the message “Dali, silud lang! Ka-on ta kay namit ang amon handa para sa inyo!” (Come in! Let’s eat the sumptuous food we have prepared just for you!) to visitors and passers-by.
These are the things that kept on recurring in my reminiscence and I can’t help but smile at those experiences that seemed to be very significant for me. They are so vivid that I am being drifted flaccidly in memory lane. Even though the activities are still the same, something new is being unfolded as I also grow in my discernment and appreciation for the festivity. Perhaps, this pondering was made possible when I actually became a part of the preparations, particularly in the Pilgrimage of Our Lady to different barangays. I have seen for myself the willingness of people in accepting the “Urna” of Our Lady in their houses, challenged by the fact that it is not just purely “devotional” but an effort to establish small Christian communities united in faith, hope and love. It is a lasting proof that our devotion to Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria is not born out of sheer fanaticism, but an expression of our affection and gratefulness to Mama Mary, who by her acceptance to carry Jesus in her womb, has brought into this world the Savior which we all have been waiting for. It’s nice to know that there are earnest faithful in our parish that have accepted Mary in the confines of their humble homes. It is indeed an indication that we have grown in our faithfulness and commitment as a community, that we do not just limit ourselves to the celebration itself and lost our sense of identity along the way because we are too overwhelmed by the many fusses of this revered event.
As we celebrate yet another fiesta, may we always be reminded that we are a church and a community united not just in the enticements brought about by the festivity, but we are always invited to gather around the person of Jesus Christ, trying our very best to live in virtue as we follow his footsteps that usher us toward holiness and communion, through the guiding light of Mama Mary. Our faith should not only be expressed in familiar prayers and devotions, it should also be witnessed in our own examples, in our own lives.
“In the waters of baptism, we are reminded that we are not born in a vacuum, now do we journey entirely alone (although loneliness is part of the burden). Being reborn, being made alive, involves being born into a community. So there are strings attached to this adventure. Far from being the spiritual journey of the solitary individual in search of God, it drags people, a church, a nation, the human race, along with it”
Happy Fiesta to all! Viva la Virgen de la Candelaria!
For the benefit of those who haven’t read last week’s CL issue: An “URNA” is actually an image of Our Lady of Candles encased in a wooden box. This is usually lent to the member-baranggays of the parish with the purpose of creating “CELDAS”. A “celda” should have at least fifteen (15) households wherein the image will be transferred every night and the household who will accommodate the “urna” of Our Lady should pray the Holy Rosary. This has been on-going through the years but the parish is now reintroducing the routine with the purpose of creating Basic Ecclesial Communities. Aside from praying the Rosary, the “celda” should also schedule a weekly faith sharing at the house of a family where the “urna” is situated.
Alan Jones, Journey into Christ, p. 53
Heartbeats by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
I am looking forward to the Feast of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria on February 2. You see, I have been away for seven years and there’s a sense of anticipation in my heart to witness the festivity which I used to enjoy before. When I was still in Manila, I would only hear news from people who vaguely described the event, making me swear with regret that it could’ve been better if I was actually present to witness the celebration.
As I count the days, I can’t help but remember those fond memories I had years ago, when I indulged myself with the hustle and bustle of the entire district. Jaro fiesta will always be associated with tourists, devotees, and guests barging into the cathedral doors in order to attend the Eucharistic celebration; The Perdon candles that are being sold like hotcakes at the right side of the parish compound; The “Palapak” where some old folks would ask you to have their clothes, hankies and even their entire body blessed by the image of Our Lady; The 4:00 p.m. traditional procession that temporarily stops the usual 360 degrees rotation of the earth from its axis as people from all walks of life pause for a while and witness not just the opulence but the religiosity of the Jareños; The “Halad kay Maria” where a teenage girl would stand at the balcony before the awaiting crowd, recite the often difficult lines in Spanish, and later express the believing community’s devotion to Our Lady in a crisp yet understated inflection which is typical of Ilonggos; The annual carnival and the agro-industrial fair that never ceased to delight one’s discriminating senses, obliging him to do some haggling for the many good finds that caught his attention; The coronation of the festival queen where it is usually attended by prominent figures in politics and society; And of course, the overflowing food and drinks that are being served in every homes, conveying the message “Dali, silud lang! Ka-on ta kay namit ang amon handa para sa inyo!” (Come in! Let’s eat the sumptuous food we have prepared just for you!) to visitors and passers-by.
These are the things that kept on recurring in my reminiscence and I can’t help but smile at those experiences that seemed to be very significant for me. They are so vivid that I am being drifted flaccidly in memory lane. Even though the activities are still the same, something new is being unfolded as I also grow in my discernment and appreciation for the festivity. Perhaps, this pondering was made possible when I actually became a part of the preparations, particularly in the Pilgrimage of Our Lady to different barangays. I have seen for myself the willingness of people in accepting the “Urna” of Our Lady in their houses, challenged by the fact that it is not just purely “devotional” but an effort to establish small Christian communities united in faith, hope and love. It is a lasting proof that our devotion to Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria is not born out of sheer fanaticism, but an expression of our affection and gratefulness to Mama Mary, who by her acceptance to carry Jesus in her womb, has brought into this world the Savior which we all have been waiting for. It’s nice to know that there are earnest faithful in our parish that have accepted Mary in the confines of their humble homes. It is indeed an indication that we have grown in our faithfulness and commitment as a community, that we do not just limit ourselves to the celebration itself and lost our sense of identity along the way because we are too overwhelmed by the many fusses of this revered event.
As we celebrate yet another fiesta, may we always be reminded that we are a church and a community united not just in the enticements brought about by the festivity, but we are always invited to gather around the person of Jesus Christ, trying our very best to live in virtue as we follow his footsteps that usher us toward holiness and communion, through the guiding light of Mama Mary. Our faith should not only be expressed in familiar prayers and devotions, it should also be witnessed in our own examples, in our own lives.
“In the waters of baptism, we are reminded that we are not born in a vacuum, now do we journey entirely alone (although loneliness is part of the burden). Being reborn, being made alive, involves being born into a community. So there are strings attached to this adventure. Far from being the spiritual journey of the solitary individual in search of God, it drags people, a church, a nation, the human race, along with it”
Happy Fiesta to all! Viva la Virgen de la Candelaria!
For the benefit of those who haven’t read last week’s CL issue: An “URNA” is actually an image of Our Lady of Candles encased in a wooden box. This is usually lent to the member-baranggays of the parish with the purpose of creating “CELDAS”. A “celda” should have at least fifteen (15) households wherein the image will be transferred every night and the household who will accommodate the “urna” of Our Lady should pray the Holy Rosary. This has been on-going through the years but the parish is now reintroducing the routine with the purpose of creating Basic Ecclesial Communities. Aside from praying the Rosary, the “celda” should also schedule a weekly faith sharing at the house of a family where the “urna” is situated.
Alan Jones, Journey into Christ, p. 53
Friday, January 23, 2009
Noypi
"Noypi"
by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
On January 22, 2009, we started the Annual Pilgrimage in preparation for the Fiesta Celebration of our Parish. Our first stop was Brgy. Desamparados and we started everything with an interactive game- we divided them into three groups and we asked them to build a church using the materials we indicated in the proceedings of the game. We were so happy with the outcome of the activity because we came up with significant learnings that coincided with the invitation we presented to the participating families who committed themselves to receive the “urna”1. It is actually an initiative of the parish to establish basic ecclesial communities as we head on to the realization of our three-year pastoral program.
Looking back, I can’t help but recall those experiences I had in the parish where I was assigned several years ago. Indeed, the establishment of BEC became an avenue where people rediscovered faith, hope and love in their personal lives and these were made possible through our weekly faith sharing. I have mentioned before in my column that I was assigned in a slum area somewhere in Novaliches and I’d like to share one significant apostolate experience that awakened my senses to the importance of having a Basic Ecclesial Community in a particular baranggay.
This is what I wrote in my weekly ministry log:
July 23, 2006
The Philippine music scene is now having a “renaissance” with the rise of novelty/alternative bands whose songs reflect the artist’s view on life, love and survival. These became an instant hit for most Filipinos because one could easily identify himself with the lyrics. I personally like “Noypi” by Bamboo since it is very patriotic and timely especially nowadays where most of us are rather apathetic toward the condition of our country. More so, my experiences in the ministry would also affirm the core message of the song.
Tingnan mo iyong palad
Kalyado mong kamay sa hirap ng buhay
Ang dami mong problema, nakuha mo pang ngumiti
Noypi ka nga, astig
We arrived at the parish earlier despite the heavy rains. I was confident this time because I have prepared well for our usual BEC prayer session. When we arrived at the area, we waited for some group members to arrive and I had a hearty conversation with one of the coordinators. She was telling me about her struggles in life and how she managed to survive despite the many problems she encountered. She wasn’t able to attend last week’s session because she accompanied her siblings to Tanay, Rizal in order to check their ailing father. She admitted to me that in the past, they had a lot of grievances against him, but seeing him after long years of separation was enough to alleviate the hurts and the pains. I was inspired by her story because it was all about forgiveness and reconciliation. During our sharing, I asked the group to recall those instances where they learned how to sacrifice in order to uphold something which they truly value in their lives. I was happy because they were getting more spontaneous compared to the previous weeks. One particular testimony caught my attention. A woman, probably in her late forties shared to the group the recent ordeals in her family. She and her husband have no means of living. Her eldest son, who assumed the responsibility of being the breadwinner, got sick of an unexplainable disease. She wanted him to have a medical check up and be admitted in a hospital but they don’t have money to pay the bills. They were even having difficulties in sustaining their everyday food table. The only consolation she got was the support given to her by her neighbors, who at times, offer her some goods like food and clothes. Another story that struck me was the one told by the secretary of the group whose life was torn by the frequent arguments of her parents, which turned out to be very physical because in the latter, they were already beaten up harshly either by their father or mother. Although this time, she was able to free herself from the agony by leaving their place in Samar, nevertheless, the memories would still haunt her. Her consolation at the moment was her job as a factory worker that helped her make ends meet.
Upon listening to their stories, I thought all the while that the session would end up emotionally draining but I was bit surprised that they haven’t lost their cheerful mood, showing me that optimism that their experiences may be harrowing but it didn’t define their future. They just “charged it to experience”. I was deeply moved when they said that they were fully aware of their situation yet they never lost hope. Probably, this is the reason why they can still manage to smile, proof that we Filipinos value life so much that we find means of maintaining our joy amidst the sorrows. No wonder, we were considered as one of the happiest people on this planet because at times, instead of drowning ourselves with despair and misery, we can only laugh at our problems. I know that this reality has its own negative implications, but placing it in a proper context could teach one how to find meaning in his or her existence. I believe that the lyrics I’ve placed above are very appropriate for what is happening in our society.
Sinisid ko ang dagat, nalibot ko ang mundo
Nasa puso ko pala hinahanap kong pulo
Ilang beses na akong muntikang mamatay
Alam ko ang sikreto kaya’t nandito pa’t buhay
Sabi daw nila may anting-anting ako
Pero ‘di nila alam na ang Diyos ang dahilan ko
It is very striking on my part that profound faith in God has always been the battle cry of those who shared their experiences in the group. It is inspiring to hear testimonies on how their sad plights have encouraged them to establish deep relationship with the Father. They were telling me that somehow, prayer was responsible in preserving their sanities although there were instances that they were on the verge of losing everything. This conviction made me affirm that we Filipinos are indeed very religious people, not for the reason that we are always present in most church liturgies and devotions, but God becomes real as the problems we face each day and we cling to Him in times when we could no longer hold ourselves. We have always believed that God has this magnanimous and abiding force that moves us beyond our physicality and we turn to Him when the going gets rough.
Looking back at my various experiences in the apostolate, I still have a lot of reasons to be thankful for being born in this country imbued with rich cultural and religious heritage. Our history would attest that we have endured so much. The strife still persists. However, at the end of the day, though confronted with so much turmoil in the government and society , aggravated by various reactions of people toward the current status of Philippine economy and politics, I continue to give myself a deep sigh and say; “I’m still proud to be a NOYPI”…
1 An “URNA” is actually an image of Our Lady of Candles encased in a wooden box. This is usually given to the member-baranggays of the parish with the purpose of creating “celdas”. A “celda” should have at least fifteen (15) households wherein the image will be transferred every night and the household who will accommodate the “Urna” of Our Lady should pray the Holy Rosary. Aside from praying the Rosary, the “celda” also schedule a weekly faith sharing at the house of a family where the “urna” is situated. This was again re-introduced for the purpose of establishing Basic Ecclesial Communities.
by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
On January 22, 2009, we started the Annual Pilgrimage in preparation for the Fiesta Celebration of our Parish. Our first stop was Brgy. Desamparados and we started everything with an interactive game- we divided them into three groups and we asked them to build a church using the materials we indicated in the proceedings of the game. We were so happy with the outcome of the activity because we came up with significant learnings that coincided with the invitation we presented to the participating families who committed themselves to receive the “urna”1. It is actually an initiative of the parish to establish basic ecclesial communities as we head on to the realization of our three-year pastoral program.
Looking back, I can’t help but recall those experiences I had in the parish where I was assigned several years ago. Indeed, the establishment of BEC became an avenue where people rediscovered faith, hope and love in their personal lives and these were made possible through our weekly faith sharing. I have mentioned before in my column that I was assigned in a slum area somewhere in Novaliches and I’d like to share one significant apostolate experience that awakened my senses to the importance of having a Basic Ecclesial Community in a particular baranggay.
This is what I wrote in my weekly ministry log:
July 23, 2006
The Philippine music scene is now having a “renaissance” with the rise of novelty/alternative bands whose songs reflect the artist’s view on life, love and survival. These became an instant hit for most Filipinos because one could easily identify himself with the lyrics. I personally like “Noypi” by Bamboo since it is very patriotic and timely especially nowadays where most of us are rather apathetic toward the condition of our country. More so, my experiences in the ministry would also affirm the core message of the song.
Tingnan mo iyong palad
Kalyado mong kamay sa hirap ng buhay
Ang dami mong problema, nakuha mo pang ngumiti
Noypi ka nga, astig
We arrived at the parish earlier despite the heavy rains. I was confident this time because I have prepared well for our usual BEC prayer session. When we arrived at the area, we waited for some group members to arrive and I had a hearty conversation with one of the coordinators. She was telling me about her struggles in life and how she managed to survive despite the many problems she encountered. She wasn’t able to attend last week’s session because she accompanied her siblings to Tanay, Rizal in order to check their ailing father. She admitted to me that in the past, they had a lot of grievances against him, but seeing him after long years of separation was enough to alleviate the hurts and the pains. I was inspired by her story because it was all about forgiveness and reconciliation. During our sharing, I asked the group to recall those instances where they learned how to sacrifice in order to uphold something which they truly value in their lives. I was happy because they were getting more spontaneous compared to the previous weeks. One particular testimony caught my attention. A woman, probably in her late forties shared to the group the recent ordeals in her family. She and her husband have no means of living. Her eldest son, who assumed the responsibility of being the breadwinner, got sick of an unexplainable disease. She wanted him to have a medical check up and be admitted in a hospital but they don’t have money to pay the bills. They were even having difficulties in sustaining their everyday food table. The only consolation she got was the support given to her by her neighbors, who at times, offer her some goods like food and clothes. Another story that struck me was the one told by the secretary of the group whose life was torn by the frequent arguments of her parents, which turned out to be very physical because in the latter, they were already beaten up harshly either by their father or mother. Although this time, she was able to free herself from the agony by leaving their place in Samar, nevertheless, the memories would still haunt her. Her consolation at the moment was her job as a factory worker that helped her make ends meet.
Upon listening to their stories, I thought all the while that the session would end up emotionally draining but I was bit surprised that they haven’t lost their cheerful mood, showing me that optimism that their experiences may be harrowing but it didn’t define their future. They just “charged it to experience”. I was deeply moved when they said that they were fully aware of their situation yet they never lost hope. Probably, this is the reason why they can still manage to smile, proof that we Filipinos value life so much that we find means of maintaining our joy amidst the sorrows. No wonder, we were considered as one of the happiest people on this planet because at times, instead of drowning ourselves with despair and misery, we can only laugh at our problems. I know that this reality has its own negative implications, but placing it in a proper context could teach one how to find meaning in his or her existence. I believe that the lyrics I’ve placed above are very appropriate for what is happening in our society.
Sinisid ko ang dagat, nalibot ko ang mundo
Nasa puso ko pala hinahanap kong pulo
Ilang beses na akong muntikang mamatay
Alam ko ang sikreto kaya’t nandito pa’t buhay
Sabi daw nila may anting-anting ako
Pero ‘di nila alam na ang Diyos ang dahilan ko
It is very striking on my part that profound faith in God has always been the battle cry of those who shared their experiences in the group. It is inspiring to hear testimonies on how their sad plights have encouraged them to establish deep relationship with the Father. They were telling me that somehow, prayer was responsible in preserving their sanities although there were instances that they were on the verge of losing everything. This conviction made me affirm that we Filipinos are indeed very religious people, not for the reason that we are always present in most church liturgies and devotions, but God becomes real as the problems we face each day and we cling to Him in times when we could no longer hold ourselves. We have always believed that God has this magnanimous and abiding force that moves us beyond our physicality and we turn to Him when the going gets rough.
Looking back at my various experiences in the apostolate, I still have a lot of reasons to be thankful for being born in this country imbued with rich cultural and religious heritage. Our history would attest that we have endured so much. The strife still persists. However, at the end of the day, though confronted with so much turmoil in the government and society , aggravated by various reactions of people toward the current status of Philippine economy and politics, I continue to give myself a deep sigh and say; “I’m still proud to be a NOYPI”…
1 An “URNA” is actually an image of Our Lady of Candles encased in a wooden box. This is usually given to the member-baranggays of the parish with the purpose of creating “celdas”. A “celda” should have at least fifteen (15) households wherein the image will be transferred every night and the household who will accommodate the “Urna” of Our Lady should pray the Holy Rosary. Aside from praying the Rosary, the “celda” also schedule a weekly faith sharing at the house of a family where the “urna” is situated. This was again re-introduced for the purpose of establishing Basic Ecclesial Communities.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
THE HEART OF TOTO FIEL
THE HEART OF TOTO FIEL
by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
I have always wanted to write something about my 7-year old nephew, Fiel. Just like any child of his age, he is known for his innocence, playfulness, and curiosity. But what sets him apart from the rest is his cheekiness, wherein at times, you will get confused whether he really meant what he said or it’s just a part of his gullibility. He can be brutally frank that you’d be embarrassed with his usual quips about certain things that caught his attention. Last week, when I said mass at the wake of my relative who died of complications due to his old age, Fiel went inside the house to look for candies. After a while, he approached the daughter and complained, “Puro kahang inyo dulsi, waay gid ti tam-is?” We laughed profusely when we were told about it. He just smiled at us, wondering why we made a fuss over his blatant assertion. I could sense that there was a protest obstinately taking place inside his head. If only he could reason out as an adult before us, he would’ve blurted out, “Hey, what’s wrong with my statement? I’m just being honest!!!”
A child will always be naive no matter how hard you try to objectify things. He is guided by his belief in such a way that he puts his heart into it. He sees life as a continuous search for meaning, hence he would rely on his vulnerability, eager to grasp the hands of those whom he thought would direct him to what is authentic or reliable. His inquisitiveness is not born out of his convoluted reason. He simply wants to unfold, discover and learn the many ways of the world. This is perhaps the explanation why Jesus became indignant towards his disciples when they rebuked those enthusiastic children who wanted to see and touch him. We have an irony here. The kingdom of God does not belong to those who are strong, powerful, and learned. Rather, Jesus offers it to those who are incapable, defenceless, and weak.
Vulnerability is the word. While the rest of us are engaging ourselves in a power struggle, opposing each other to claim the coveted title of who will be the greatest, the mightiest, and the best, Jesus would simply invite us to be susceptible to the magnanimity of the graces offered by his Almighty Father. While science and technology continue to expand the way we perceive life’s seemingly complicated mechanisms, Jesus would want us to take things in its purity and live our lives with an unadulterated cheerfulness. While we exhaust ourselves with endless theories to explain those whom we consider mysterious, unimaginable, and “too awful for words”, Jesus would only require us to possess that heart of a child who is able to recognize and accept the honest-to-goodness fundamentals of human existence.
Even if sometimes, I am annoyed by the naivety and the outspokenness of my nephew, I have learned so much from his self-effacing disposition. He has taught me to go back to what is basic, especially if my mind and heart are shrouded by my never-ending inklings on the things I should do in order that I may be sensible before the world. There were times that I thought I was invincible, only to find out later on that my insistence in trying to get hold of things whole and entire has brought me to staggering failures and disappointments.
One last story about Fiel (I am not supposed to include this because I fear it might ruin the coherent flow of thoughts but I let myself be muddled as I set aside my reason for a while so I can indulge myself to what is simple and true). When my sister left for Hong Kong, my poor, little nephew was devastated and you can really tell how he longed for his Mama. One time, my sister called and talked to him. In all honesty, he told her: “Ma, puli ka lang di, biskan one day lang; Sige na ma, please!” It was a heart-wrenching moment for all of us at home. My sister cried so hard that she never finished their conversation. It was an enduring testimony of a child’s unconditional love for his mother. I was stunned by my nephew’s purity of heart---so weak yet so passionate, so vulnerable yet so spirited.
If there’s one resilient bastion of faith, hope and love when everything else fails in this life, it would have to be the heart of a child.
by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent S. Sinco
I have always wanted to write something about my 7-year old nephew, Fiel. Just like any child of his age, he is known for his innocence, playfulness, and curiosity. But what sets him apart from the rest is his cheekiness, wherein at times, you will get confused whether he really meant what he said or it’s just a part of his gullibility. He can be brutally frank that you’d be embarrassed with his usual quips about certain things that caught his attention. Last week, when I said mass at the wake of my relative who died of complications due to his old age, Fiel went inside the house to look for candies. After a while, he approached the daughter and complained, “Puro kahang inyo dulsi, waay gid ti tam-is?” We laughed profusely when we were told about it. He just smiled at us, wondering why we made a fuss over his blatant assertion. I could sense that there was a protest obstinately taking place inside his head. If only he could reason out as an adult before us, he would’ve blurted out, “Hey, what’s wrong with my statement? I’m just being honest!!!”
A child will always be naive no matter how hard you try to objectify things. He is guided by his belief in such a way that he puts his heart into it. He sees life as a continuous search for meaning, hence he would rely on his vulnerability, eager to grasp the hands of those whom he thought would direct him to what is authentic or reliable. His inquisitiveness is not born out of his convoluted reason. He simply wants to unfold, discover and learn the many ways of the world. This is perhaps the explanation why Jesus became indignant towards his disciples when they rebuked those enthusiastic children who wanted to see and touch him. We have an irony here. The kingdom of God does not belong to those who are strong, powerful, and learned. Rather, Jesus offers it to those who are incapable, defenceless, and weak.
Vulnerability is the word. While the rest of us are engaging ourselves in a power struggle, opposing each other to claim the coveted title of who will be the greatest, the mightiest, and the best, Jesus would simply invite us to be susceptible to the magnanimity of the graces offered by his Almighty Father. While science and technology continue to expand the way we perceive life’s seemingly complicated mechanisms, Jesus would want us to take things in its purity and live our lives with an unadulterated cheerfulness. While we exhaust ourselves with endless theories to explain those whom we consider mysterious, unimaginable, and “too awful for words”, Jesus would only require us to possess that heart of a child who is able to recognize and accept the honest-to-goodness fundamentals of human existence.
Even if sometimes, I am annoyed by the naivety and the outspokenness of my nephew, I have learned so much from his self-effacing disposition. He has taught me to go back to what is basic, especially if my mind and heart are shrouded by my never-ending inklings on the things I should do in order that I may be sensible before the world. There were times that I thought I was invincible, only to find out later on that my insistence in trying to get hold of things whole and entire has brought me to staggering failures and disappointments.
One last story about Fiel (I am not supposed to include this because I fear it might ruin the coherent flow of thoughts but I let myself be muddled as I set aside my reason for a while so I can indulge myself to what is simple and true). When my sister left for Hong Kong, my poor, little nephew was devastated and you can really tell how he longed for his Mama. One time, my sister called and talked to him. In all honesty, he told her: “Ma, puli ka lang di, biskan one day lang; Sige na ma, please!” It was a heart-wrenching moment for all of us at home. My sister cried so hard that she never finished their conversation. It was an enduring testimony of a child’s unconditional love for his mother. I was stunned by my nephew’s purity of heart---so weak yet so passionate, so vulnerable yet so spirited.
If there’s one resilient bastion of faith, hope and love when everything else fails in this life, it would have to be the heart of a child.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
What Is Simple Is True
December 24, 2008. A usual cold and breezy afternoon... I walked along the front area of the cathedral in order to check whether the Christmas tree installed by the parish youth ministry was already filled with decorations. After I have scrutinized every color and detail, I diverted my gaze on the two massive pilasters that supported the porch where the historic image of Our Lady was placed. The corners seemed to be very significant because they reminded me of an experience I had a year ago, when I was disillusioned about the celebration of Christmas Season. I plunged incredulously from my anticipation as I kept on telling myself that probably, this would be my saddest Christmas ever, not for the reason that I was miles away from home or my parents were not around. It’s just that I was so frustrated with what was happening to me then that the lights, sounds, and revelries were not appealing at all. Looking back, I gave myself a deep sigh, grateful that somehow I did not completely give in to my personal aches and fall into the disbelief of having a “good for nothing” Christmas.
Set adrift along memory bliss...
December 24, 2007. A usual cold and breezy afternoon...I walked along the front area of the cathedral as I waited for some folks to arrive so we can start our practice for the Christmas Eve Eucharistic Celebration. I was discerning whether I should go home or not on December 25 because there were things that fell out of place in our home. You see, when you’re left to look after your parents, you can’t help but be idealistic about them, expecting them to be like this or be like that. I got so frustrated with certain decisions they made and it breaks my heart to hear from people some unlikely remarks on them. I wanted to confront papa and nanay but my pride has gotten into my nerves that I have decided not to bother at all, and my option of not seeing them on Christmas Day would serve as my own act of rebellion. As I indulged myself to “the crazy-making pleasures I got from own pain” (Thanks Fr. Robert de Grandis, SSJ for this expression), I saw two women sitting at both ends of the cathedral pilasters, begging for alms. I wanted to avoid them but they called me, telling me they need jeepney fare because they wanted to go home to their place somewhere in Lapaz. I was taken aback. While I was so hesitant to go home to my parents who failed to condescend to my principles, here are two mothers doing the best they could just to be with their family on Christmas Day. While I reasoned out for possible excuses to nurture the hurt inside my heart, these women modestly presented to me what is simple, honest and true: to go beyond my logic and to plainly take love in its purest form. They made me realize that my family is not perfect and I am only invited to love perfectly the imperfect. And perhaps, this is what Christmas is all about.
I told the women to wait for a while as I hurriedly bought some food from a nearby grocery store so they could have something to eat for their Noche Buena. And of course, I gave them money for their jeepney fare. At the back of my mind, it was just a small token for a bigger-than-myself message they conveyed in my heart and for reminding me the real meaning of Christmas. The next morning, without thinking twice, I took the early jeepney trip to celebrate Christmas day with my family.
Set adrift along memory bliss...
December 24, 2007. A usual cold and breezy afternoon...I walked along the front area of the cathedral as I waited for some folks to arrive so we can start our practice for the Christmas Eve Eucharistic Celebration. I was discerning whether I should go home or not on December 25 because there were things that fell out of place in our home. You see, when you’re left to look after your parents, you can’t help but be idealistic about them, expecting them to be like this or be like that. I got so frustrated with certain decisions they made and it breaks my heart to hear from people some unlikely remarks on them. I wanted to confront papa and nanay but my pride has gotten into my nerves that I have decided not to bother at all, and my option of not seeing them on Christmas Day would serve as my own act of rebellion. As I indulged myself to “the crazy-making pleasures I got from own pain” (Thanks Fr. Robert de Grandis, SSJ for this expression), I saw two women sitting at both ends of the cathedral pilasters, begging for alms. I wanted to avoid them but they called me, telling me they need jeepney fare because they wanted to go home to their place somewhere in Lapaz. I was taken aback. While I was so hesitant to go home to my parents who failed to condescend to my principles, here are two mothers doing the best they could just to be with their family on Christmas Day. While I reasoned out for possible excuses to nurture the hurt inside my heart, these women modestly presented to me what is simple, honest and true: to go beyond my logic and to plainly take love in its purest form. They made me realize that my family is not perfect and I am only invited to love perfectly the imperfect. And perhaps, this is what Christmas is all about.
I told the women to wait for a while as I hurriedly bought some food from a nearby grocery store so they could have something to eat for their Noche Buena. And of course, I gave them money for their jeepney fare. At the back of my mind, it was just a small token for a bigger-than-myself message they conveyed in my heart and for reminding me the real meaning of Christmas. The next morning, without thinking twice, I took the early jeepney trip to celebrate Christmas day with my family.
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