Carrying on the struggle

Social netizens in the Philippines seem to be more up and about these days.  I see it as good--the rising awareness of people about what is happening around them, whether in the immediacy of the neighborhood or the wide backyard of the home we call "Earth", and the way many are pitching in their thoughts and concern about these.

Of course, these issues should indeed concern us: the unrest in the Zamboanga peninsula within the context of peace and development around Mindanao, the still unfolding saga of the pork barrel, and all these realities in society such as informal settlers in urban areas, corruption in public office, inequality between classes, education as achievable only until (or even before) one's teenage years, forced migration and changes, oftentimes detrimental, in the home.  Looking at my faith, I think too of situations in the church which call for attention: the dichotomy between belief and daily life; the neglect for lay people; the priority given more to church renovation rather than community building; the lack of a truly focused, relevant and concerted effort for the young faithful; the need to begin with initial (seminary) formation if we truly want renewed clergy and religious; among many others.

And of course, I can go on.  But of course, I cannot claim I have the answers to all of these questions.  But I am willing to continue the journey.

However, to me, now, that is beside the point.  The point is, how will I carry on the struggle?  Will I allow myself to be tossed here and there among this myriad of issues, or is there something--someone--in whom I can refer to, gaze at for direction, and depend on for solace and support?  Should I turn in on myself for the answers, or should I look beyond myself for meaning and hope while remaining rooted in the joys and pains of the here and now?

Deep in my heart, I know the answer.  I know in Whom I put my trust [cf. 2 Tim 1:12].

Into the Kingdom of Heaven

"With some of us, the end of egoism requires a big struggle.
Sometimes, we are carried more or less kicking and screaming
into the Kingdom of Heaven."John Main, OSB

I don't mind the kicking and screaming,
as long as I know who is carrying me,

and He's carrying me to Heaven.

;)

*Originally posted on Facebook

The Lord's (Mother's birth) Day

It's Mary's birthday in less than an hour.
But it falls on a Sunday, "The Lord's Day".

I strongly feel she would be happier if we remembered her Son more than her: attend Eucharist, listen to His Word, receive His Body.  After all, she proudly tells us, "Anak ko 'yan!"

P.S. But I want to greet you still, Blessed Mother: Happy Birthday!

And while I'm at it, and I know you're in heaven, please whisper to your Son our cries for peace:

in Syria; in the Middle East;

in Timor Leste and their birthing pains as a nation;

in Malaysia and their struggle for religious freedom;

in Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei;

in the Philippines and our drive to integrate what we believe in with how we live;

and in the whole world.

And that this peace begin with me.

*Originally posted on Facebook

Timorese thanks

Thank You, Lord, for the beautiful day,
For the faith and fellowship shared,
For the welcome fully and joyfully given.
May our ministries among the youth be as today:
beautiful because of You,
rooted and built up in You,
offered to everyone as You do.

"If I must boast, let me boast in the Lord!" [cf. 1 Cor 1:31b]

The height of love

Preparing for next week, I was led by events of last month and sharing from loved ones to this message of Pope Francis to his brother-bishops of Brazil.  Speaking about what we, as church, tend to feel about those who have left or find us irrelevant, he used the Emmaus story as a guide...

Many people have left [the Church] because they were promised something more lofty...  But what is more lofty than the love revealed in Jerusalem?  Nothing is more lofty than the abasement of the Cross, since there we truly approach the height of love!  Are we still capable of demonstrating this truth to those who think that the apex of life is to be found elsewhere?

You can read more with me, and be inspired and challenged also, here...

*Originally posted on Facebook

In Jesus' Name

To ask in Jesus' name is not a magic spell we cast on the Father,

blackmailing God to act according to our liking.

To pray in Jesus' name is what the disciples requested in [the] Gospel.

To pray like Jesus, to pray in His name,

is to pray according to His heart, His mind, His will.

Thanks to Fr. Joel Jason for this sharing!  I will keep this in mind and heart the next time I end my prayer "in Jesus' name".  Better yet, before I pray, to seek that my prayer become truly made "in Jesus' name": according to His heart, His mind, His will.

*Originally posted on Facebook

I was there

I was there.

In a rally this afternoon in Liwasang Bonifacio I decided to come. Most of those present were students. Speaker after speaker was ranting against the current government and how it has betrayed and continues to deceive and steal from the people. The main issue is, as most Filipinos should know by now, is the brazen misuse of public funds, specifically the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

I was there and took in the sight of young people: those who spoke to the crowd, the packets who listened, and the many who seemed to be there "just because". As I wrote on my response to the invitation why I was going, I am going because my faith in Christ impels me to stand up against corruption. And I will continue to take part in succeeding efforts, no matter how little, no matter how seemingly insignificant, in facing the scourge of corruption in our country and ushering God's Reign in how society is ruled.

But that aside, I stayed and listened and took in the cries, the angry speeches, the restless rants, and thought of how Pope Francis called on the youth of his country, Argentina, last month, to make themselves heard in their dioceses... "I want the noise to go out, I want the Church to go out onto the streets, I want us to resist everything worldly, everything static, everything comfortable, everything to do with clericalism, everything that might make us closed in on ourselves. The parishes, the schools, the institutions are made for going out ... if they don’t, they become an NGO, and the Church cannot be an NGO." And might I say, not a fake one, at that.

Coming back to work, to my community of fellow youth ministers, for our every Friday 17.00 prayer to end the week, I was deeply touched by what I heard again. We prayed the rosary and included a reflective reading of the Pope's homily for the Final Mass of World Youth Day 2013. Pope Francis spoke to the youth gathered about what "Go and make disciples of all nations" means. "Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends us to everyone. The Gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only for those who seem closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent." These words made me think of those young people speaking at that rally; those who were listening, or even those who appeared to be listening; those who were busy with small talk and those who were behind the organization of the rally. Among them too were jeepney drivers, laborers, vendors of cheese corn and cigarettes, little kids playing, oblivious to the gravity of the issue at hand. To them too, the Gospel is for.

And for them too, challenged and inspired by this successor of Peter, I hope to say, I was there.

Because about them, among them, in them, Jesus Master too would say, "I am there."