Through the Vicissitudes

Calamities. War. Corruption. Crashes. Abortion. Euthanasia. Same-sex marriage. Illegal migration. "Restore man to the center".

With a world seemingly headed for self-destruction, how could one feel comfortable and happy in this world we live in. There are three essentials of life that make things life worth living: faith, family, and friends.



FAITH

We focus on the Holy Trinity and with the intercession of our Blessed Mother, the Holy Angels, and the saints, we can keep our faith alive. The Sacraments may not be accessible always to us but through prayers, we keep our spiritual communion.

There may be so many negative elements in the Church, but the deposit of faith can give us a solid foundation. A lifetime will not be enough to exhaust it. We have the faith of the "little one", the way of humility to keep the flame of Truth burning to guide us.

FAMILY

Often neglected in our consumer and production oriented world, it is important to make a home. A home that may be reduced to its bare essentials.
Let not our homes be mere boarding house to sleep on or a storage building for our material collections.
Keeping our homes back to its essential where relationships can be healed and nurtured. A home where there is a breathing space for creativity and self-growth. A home which is a domestic church where one can guide each other towards God who is Truth, Life, and Love.
A place where a child can be a child, a parent can be a parent, a sick person can be a sick person, an old person can be an old person, a man can be a man, a woman can be a woman... a time and place to fulfill God's purpose and Divine Plan for each one.

FRIENDS

Friendship, though, often without a sense of permanence, can be enduring. It keeps our hearts and minds open and not self-contained. Friendships remind us the value of trust - to choose who we trust and to be trustworthy. Friendships allow us to keep our sense of duty towards our neighbor beyond the extension of our self.



With faith, family, and friends, there is beauty amidst the rubbles. They are like seedlings finding its way from the ground. They are like blossoms that spread their fragrance, no matter what the conditions of the surroundings may be.
Through the vicissitude of life, it is faith, family, friends that will get us through without becoming unreal and yet faithful to the pursuit of Truth. With God's mercy and grace, we will make it to our eternal home.

Mother Teresa's Letter

Mother Teresa in her Sari / photo from wikipedia

It was a simple letter but it was quite touching to read. Here is someone who loves God and loves humanity. Truly "something beautiful for God" as Malcolm Muggeridge puts it.

Excerpt from Catholic Herald: Mother Teresa sent me a personal message bashed out on an old typewriter. This is what it said
“…I think today, more than ever the world is upside down and is suffering so much because there is so little love in homes, and in family life people have no time for each other, and I feel if we could only bring back into our families and homes the life that Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, I am sure that peace and joy will be there.

“During this coming Christmas let us pray more fervently for peace, so that there will be peace that comes from respecting the rights of everyone – even the unborn child. Today Jesus comes to us as the unborn child and His own receives Him not. Let many of our Catholic families help young [the] mother-to-be, to welcome the baby in her womb as the gift of God’s love for her and for her family.

“Keep the joy of loving ever burning in your heart and share this joy with others by your love and service. Allow God to use you as His instrument to bring this peace and joy in the lives of all you meet during this coming Christmas.”

Sayang

"Sayang" is a common expression in Filipino. Literally, it means "what a waste!" Here are the occasions when I often hear it expressed as a reaction:

• a handsome priest : "sayang" from girls and old ladies
• a handsome gay : "sayang" from girls and old ladies
• a young girl getting pregnant
• resigning from work
• stay-at-home educated man or woman
• getting married at the peak of career

I used to get offended, too, by "sayang" reaction but the "sayang" is not so negative. It isn't really about double standards or trying to put one down. They just see other possibilities, but it is still up to us to make the right choice of what is truly more important.

However, in the "sayang" ads of Pantene #whipit series featuring single mom, Denise Laurel. She may have whipped it, but being a single mom is not just about her. It is also about the child. Perhaps she's doing her best and more than married moms do. Still, I have seen children from broken families, and no matter how many people try to fill in the love, there is still that brokenness in them that is truly difficult to heal. I would still wish for every child, a mom and a dad. With God's grace... great moms and dads. I'm sure Denise would want that, too.

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer for the Unborn

Lord Jesus,

You who faithfully visit and fulfill with your Presence the Church and the history of men; You who in the miraculous Sacrament of your Body and Blood render us participants in divine Life and allow us a foretaste of the joy of eternal Life; We adore and bless you.

Prostrated before You, source and lover of Life, truly present and alive among us, we beg you.

Reawaken in us respect for every unborn life, make us capable of seeing in the fruit of the maternal womb the miraculous work of the Creator, open our hearts to generously welcoming every child that comes into life.

Bless all families, sanctify the union of spouses, render fruitful their love.

Accompany the choices of legislative assemblies with the light of your Spirit,so that peoples and nations may recognize and respect the sacred nature of life, of every human life.

Guide the work of scientists and doctors, so that all progress contributes to the integral well-being of the person, and no one endures suppression or injustice.

Give creative charity to administrators and economists, so they may realize and promote sufficient conditions so that young families can serenely embrace the birth of new children.

Console the married couples who suffer because they are unable to have children and in Your goodness provide for them.

Teach us all to care for orphaned or abandoned children, so they may experience the warmth of your Charity, the consolation of your divine Heart.

Together with Mary, Your Mother, the great believer, in whose womb you took on our human nature, we wait to receive from You, our Only True Good and Savior, the strength to love and serve life, in anticipation of living forever in You, in communion with the Blessed Trinity.

Choice is always News

One country after another legalizes same-sex union. Even cardinals seem to be in support of it, but not Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Andre-Joseph Leonard and yet he was the one subjected to attack and humiliation by TOPLESS Feminists who claim they are for RESPECTING CHOICE except for the choice of the archbishop not to support homosexuality.


Sometimes the best way to read the news is through parody Atheists to issue NUDE calendar. Laughing our way to the craziness of life.

Yet, we still need to hear the truth pointblank Gosnell Case: AbortionISM vs LifeISM.

With the things happening around, it is a good question to ask Does the TRIBULATION begins in 2013 Even in our small worlds have its minor tribulations like Jennifer Fulwiler's crazy life but home crazy home is still HOME sweet home.

Yet, life isn't finished until it's finished and we can always come to that beautiful moment when I CHOOSE LOVE, and it's all worth it.

As Created

In the construction industry, one would be exposed to nuts and bolts, tongue and groove, and so on. Plumbing or even a door knob would have male and female parts.

These simple things make one aware of the complimentariness of things... necessary, in order to build. It is just the way they are. A unique way of working things together naturally. So much of what humanity had developed sprang forth from this. It is basic to what life is.

So when I think of marriage, it is about a man and woman. Marriage is the public avowal of sexual relations; While sexual relations is the private avowal of marriage. Marriage is equal to the sexual act between a man and a woman. Sex is equal to marriage. Sexual relations is not equal to love. Sexual act is equal to life.

Marriage is a betrothal - to be true. The sexual union between a man and a woman is for building up of the biological family, though not limited to that. It is meant for the propagation of Truth through the biological family. Marriage between a man and a woman is the smallest unit of communion between two unique but complimentary individuals. Such is the significance that would affect the larger society in its relations with one another and growing in and from each other's uniqueness. It is a building block of civilization and determinant of its culture.

Like all things beautiful, marriage requires effort, commitment, and virtues for it to transcend the constantly changing things through the seasons of life. The constantly changing things like wealth, health, physique, talent, preferences. As they journey through it together, they are able to assist and bring each other to the knowledge of truth and love; Thus, towards God and heaven.

God's gift to us of marriage and family life enables us to experience something of the infinite love that unites the three divine persons -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Benedict XVI, 2010

"Only God's love can fully satisfy our deepest needs, and yet through the love of husband and wife, the love of parents and children, the love of siblings for one another, we are offered a FORETASTE of the boundless love that awaits us in the life to come."Benedict XVI, 2010

Pope's Renunciation and the Sede Vacante Homes

While the Pope's renunciation of the papal office shook many, the subsequent reactions were of love and gratitude. But there were a good number, too, that felt abandoned or even betrayed. The breakdown of marriage in society had brought forth wounded individuals, growing up with no fathesr; They were hit the most by Pope Benedict XVI's move to renounce the office. The news struck them in a wound that never fully healed. It was for them a revisit of painful memories of a father walking out on them.

It is quite understandable that they will go through emotions of anguish, grief, forsaken, and a list of many questions. They cast doubt on past statements of love.

The Catholic Church is a family... a home and we look up to the Pope as a spiritual father. Pope Benedict XVI, in spite of, what mainstream media would like to portray, had becoming an endearing father to Catholics. His simple, lack of theatrics, and almost self-effacing personality made people listen to his words undistracted. It was heart speaks to heart.

His renunciation may, then, can even become an avenue of healing for the fatherless members of Christendom. He didnot disappear in thin air. He was able to say his goodbye, thank you, and he asked forgiveness. He prayed, discerned what is best for the flock. He said he is not abandoning you and me. He will still be in spiritual closeness thru prayers. He will continue to suffer with Christ and His Church.

Those final days of Pope Benedict XVI's papacy were touching. There is pain and sadness in losing the physical presence of one who is loved, but there is that serenity, joy, and gratitude because he gave much and that remains.

May the renunciation of Pope Benedict XVI, now Bishop Emeritus of Rome bring healing to the many who in their personal lives had an absentee father. And amidst our activism in women's rights, may we realize the equal importance of men and fathers in family life.

The Wonder of a Child

It was the Feast of Sto. Niño de Cebu last Sunday in the Philippines while in the United States, the 22nd of January will be the anniversary of Roe vs Wade that legalized abortion.

It is the wonder of a babe, so small and so powerless yet paradoxically so big and powerful at the same time.

With my mother's Alzheimer, her days are often spent in bed. Yet everytime her great grandson comes to visit, a big change in her is so noticeable. Lucas is just six months old but he is able to lit up the face of mama by his presence. It is like new life had been added to her failing energy. Her eyes are aglow just looking at the little babe. When Lucas chuckles, mama is just so happy. She would join in the singing of ABC and giving out her finger for Lucas' grasp. For my sister, baby Lucas takes away the stresses of the busyness of daily life.

We know the demands of caring for a toddler but such a wonder how much a little babe can do. New life, another miracle of life welcomed in our world bonds us together. We gather round the baby, we are all looking at the same person, in spite of our differences.

Maybe looking at a toddler, we are subconsciously reminded where we began and at the same time what we aspire- a vibrance of life, a purity, a receptivity to being cared and loved.

Maybe, there is that someone fresh from God and stirring in us the inate desire to be with in the end of our journey.

Maybe, there is that renewed call to love when we so often forget to love those who have been around because they have hurt us, disappointed us or even repulsed us.

Or perhaps, it is just the utter cuteness of little babes that makes us smile.

One thing is for sure, it is life - a gift to be unravelled, a purpose to fulfill, a part of God's divine plam for humanity.

Home Sweet Home

No matter how exciting or fufilling our work may be, at the end of the day, it is home we long for.
When storm gathers around us, even if there is a leak on the roof, it is home where we would rather be.
That sense of home so often neglected. The familiar surroundings no matter how imperfect.
The space where people you care for are expected.
The memories of nurturing and nourishing. A sense of warmth and healing.
Home, a small word that shapes a big world.
Home, a small word that
gives a glimpse of an eternal Home.

Acceptance and Forgiveness

The media coverage on (Comedy King) Dolphy's life and death had died down and now left to the annals of history. The one thing that struck a note in the many media mileage was when Zsa Zsa Padilla thanked her daughter Karylle for her ACCEPTANCE and FORGIVENESS. Karylle (a singer, actress, and host herself) was but a young girl when Zsa Zsa left her marriage to dentist, Dr. M. Tatlonghari for Dolphy. Karylle isn't a publicity hound so I have no idea when her relationship with her mom went for the better. I don't know when she has gotten to be in good terms (if ever) with Dolphy. I don't know if her dad and her mom are in good terms.
Still, it brings into focus the wounds of broken family. Families would always be imperfect but the brokenness cause by polygamy is even more.
In spite of Christianity, it is prevalent. Erap Estrada, Ramon Revilla Sr. FPJ, Mayor Pablo Cuneta. Many are into their nth marriage with annulments becoming easier or through Protestant marriage. My own mother was a child of a father who had many wives(?). Friends and relatives had children of broken marriage.

To a certain extent, it is as old as time and legitimizing it with divorce only worsens it. Acceptance and forgiveness is a must for everyone in this battlefield of good and evil. Howver, my encounter with children of broken marriage make it seem a double struggle when acceptance and forgiveness are needed towards their parents.
Acceptance is difficult, most especially if it is a fault we see in our parents. There will always be that invisible umbilical cord that binds us to our mother and father. They are the best for us no matter what; We always want to associate with what we know of love.

Acceptance without condoning an error or a bad choice is possible. It is to separate the sin from the sinner, to separate the choice from the person. Sure, there is shared consequence for every choice. We will be affected even if it is not our choosing. But we can endeavour to look at a person as a whole and not define them by one choice. It is, then, that we can open up the possibilities of choice for ourselves and others. There are experiences in our lives that we can say are "given". When we know the given, it is easier to find the solution. There is something thar can be done, and we are not stuck in a past that can not be erased. Some bad experiences are like lumps or blockages that keep love from flowing freely. The healing of these blockages is what forgiveness is. It could be just as painful but it is a healing and purgative pain. It restores our relationship with our humanity. It restores our relationship with others. It brings back the worth of every person and a chamce to grow in wholeness.

It is heartbreaking to see the wounded child in my mother resurface when she's having dementia. It is heartbreaking to see so many people like broken vessels walking so fragile in this life. But as shown by the example of Karylle, something better and beautiful can still happen with acceptance and forgiveness.

Sameness is Not Equality

A father had two sons. Son A is suffering from Cancer while Son B is healthy. The father provided for Son A chemotherapy. Son B protested, "You are unfair, father. You are providing an expensive chemotherapy for my brother while I don't get one. I want one, too.". The father answered, "for the sake of equality and justice, I will provide for your chemotherapy, too."
It sounded kind of weird for another person to simply just ask for what the other has, but we do so often. It is quite foolhardy for a guardian to just give in to what is being demanded beyond reason; Yet, we do so often. It was not rationally (intellectually) just to give the same therapy knowing what chemotherapy is. It was neither morally just. Initially, Son B may feel emotional justice but the consequences in the long run won't make him feel that way.
The greatest injustice and inequality to render another person is to offer "sameness". It is treating people as robotics passing through a conveyor belt. It may seem like we are creating a homogenous society but what we are actually making is a dead society.
The very origin of our existence comes from a man and woman - same humanity and integrity but different in many ways. And the very unit of society that we are placed into, that is, a FAMILY, is composed of different genders, ages, interests, and skills. We are coming from a vantage point of DIVERSITY. Now, that could be a threatening word which does not belong to the warmth, comfort, and unity of a family. This unity in diversity is the AUTHENTIC EQUALITY. It is the consciousness of the UNIQUENESS of individual members This makes each individual capable of giving and receiving at the same time. The harvesting of rice is equally important to the cooking of rice. And equally important to the appreciative comment of a child. And to the cleaning up afterwards by another.
This ideal of UNIQUENESS that makes us truly EQUAL is not easily attained. Often, borne of the values of the society we live in, this equality in uniqueness is not recognized. The materialism and production-oriented society we are in marginalized those who are not income generating. Housewives are regarded as lowly and subservient to the male provider. Children are then treated with price tags and project plans. Recognizing and valuing the uniqueness of each person is a growing process. It is a maturation of relationships and often the rate is different from other. Like loving and living, we continually learn to be.
In the Catholic Church, this is likewise the endeavor - unity in diversity. As St. Paul puts it, we are ONE BODY IN CHRIST. That leads us to the bond (unity) amongst us unique individuals (diversity) which is the ONE SPIRIT and TRUTH. The objective truth is the ONE thing we can share amidst our differences because this Truth transcends the continually changing things in our lives. We continually age. Strength, interests, capabilities, physique, and intellect are as dynamic as the ticking of time but the Truth then will be the same Truth now and will be the same Truth in the future.
For now, we are self-destructing in trying to make a homogenous world thinking it will be the peaceful and perfect world. Still, it is not a dead world, and there will always be something inherent in us that will impel us to seek and grow that unique "me" and "you" and in a smaller, imperfect scale - a family.

Wounded Earth

If earth would manifest the woundedness of the people inhabiting it, how would the earth look like?

There is the barreness of the landscape coming from the wounds of artificial contraception. Soil rendered infertile not because it is but because fertility had been accursed. The fishes lost its food and the birds in the sky can not find its home.

It is a wound that is denied by many and can easily be hidden. Concrete, steel, plastic, and glass covered the barren land. It is cold to the heart yet scorching to the skin, it is remedied by patches of flowers and puppies to bring some life.

The wounds of sexual abuse that linger long after and sending forth anguish. Like storms gushing, tornado destroying whatever is on its path. Broken trees, houses with no roof, cars and things upside down. Difficult to appease, earth must just let it unleash and try to be out of its way. Fishes in the sea hide in the deepest burrow. Birds fly to distant haven.

The abandoned elderly, in spite of, its contribution had no place in the production-oriented world. Old trees withering with no water or nutrients. Deprived of the sun blocked by billboards and condominiums. Rice terraces abandoned by hands too tired to work. The plow unused, rusty and dirty.

Streams disrupted like water running out. The sky is sweating, an atmosphere losing its breath.

The wounds of divorce and broken families bring forth broken youth. The flowers and plants can not find their place. They struggle to survive and grow just anywhere - crevices, abandoned churches. The sheep knows not its pasture, the fish knows not its water, the birds knows not its sky. The plants and animals that were once a food for survival had become strangely dangerous for consumption.

The wound hidden with artificial food, synthetic and unmarked poisons bringing slow death and a painful end to people.

The wounds of abortion to the unborn child, parents and family and to society at large. The earth is roughen by missing parts losing its once natural beauty. Branches of trees hanging loosely without a fruit that was supposed to be there to ripe. Fishes are unsettled eating their own. Birds destroying its own nests.

What a grim world betrayed by its own - sullen and loveless- thirsting for love and life. What we do to ourselves, we do to our habitat.

In spite of its woundedness, there is still a merciful love that never gave up. The planets are still in its place. A new blossom springs forth. A gentle breeze soothes. A light dispels the darkness. A new day. A new choice even after the choice.