Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Reflection

  • MY LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF MY COMFORT ZONE

    MY LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF MY COMFORT ZONE

    Mission Reflection by Rizza Mae O. Malalay of RYM-Iligan

    There is a quote that says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. ” So, I was wondering if it is true or just a mere quote. The Balabagan Parish Mission was my longest mission exposure so far. It was also my first time away from home for almost three months. I did feel scared, nervous and I also had doubts about myself. But my excitement in joining the mission outweighed all of those. I was thinking of what would be my part in the mission team? And in what way I could be of help? Occupied by those thoughts, little did I know that it was the other way around.

    Balabagan is one of the municipalities of Lanao del Sur. They do not have malls or fast food chains. When you buy things it is quite pricey. They also have power interruptions every now and then and they do not have signals in some of the areas.  But despite that, they have the most generous and happy hearts. I remember every time I was at the parish health center, they would always offer me some snacks. They shared not only their food but also their stories, their life-lessons, their story of faith, their  love, their warmth and themselves.

    There was a particular Nanay whom I got close with in one of the areas. She would just let me do what I want. I also loved to tag along with her wherever she goes. She would let me scratch the ‘buko’ for our snacks and told me many times not to include the inner brown one, for it will only add bitterness to the buko. And yes for the record, I always include to scratch the brown one 😁. She would also let me do the traditional grating of coconut meat, even though I do not know how to do it. She was just there smiling patiently waiting for me to give up. And who would have thought that she would let us dug their sweet potatoes in their backyard? So, I asked her why she was so good to us, even though she was kind of disconcerted when we were around. She just replied to me that she was grateful and joyful that God sent us there, that’s why she wanted to provide us all the best that she have.

    What I also loved in Balabagan was the presence of the youth. They were just one call away. They were willing to help in any of the activities of the parish. And I just have to inform them ahead. One time, I had this conversation with them, I asked them about the situation of the youth in their community. They casually told me about teenagers getting married at a young age and about teenage pregnancy.  They also told me that they want to learn and discover more about themselves and to have a deeper relationship with God.

    Those encounters led me to these realizations.

    • There is beauty in simplicity. I grew up where when you buy coconut,  you will just add 15-20 pesos and the machine will do all the work, no sweat. We do not have coconut trees or even land for crops. So technically I have to buy everything. Living there for almost three months, made me dream of a simpler life, doing things manually, not checking my social media accounts every now and then, or not binge watching K-Drama series for the whole day. In this world of artificial intelligence, I yearn to always go back to simple things, looking above to see the stars, the moon, beholding sunsets, sunrises, mountains, seas, hiking under the heat of the sun and getting wet in the rain.
    •  It may sound absurd, but I was so touched when the youth talked about their concerns about their fellow youth. It shows that they were not blind at all about what is happening around them. They can see and they can hear. They knew what is wrong and right, they just don’t know how to make a move with regards to it. They were also afraid that they will make a wrong move or they will fail. These are reasons why they were too shy to show their talents and creativity. They felt afraid that they were too young to involve themselves in the community.

    So, here are my takeaways in this journey;

    • People who are joyful and grateful do not complain, instead they just live for the moment. Life is neither perfect nor it is easy. But, being joyful and grateful would help us lighten all the loads and burdens that life throws at us. Not to mention the truth that in this life’s journey, we are never alone. When we have a grateful and joyful heart, we will be able to see God in everything that we do and we will be filled with His grace.
    • When you love what you are doing, you don’t count the cost. You are willing to give more and you always do your best. That is how powerful love is.
    • To make a better world, we are called to empower the young. That they should be confident about themselves, that their thoughts and their views, matters. That they matters. We should form them to be Christ-centered, fully human and mission oriented. Reminding them that they are beloved, gifted and empowered. So that they can maximize their gifts and resources. Allowing them to use them for God’s glory. To have a better world we need to be a better citizen first.

    The quote “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” may be true to some. My life has started as I am going through this rollercoaster of emotions and phases of life.

    We are a little lost in life, aren’t we? As for me, life begins when you find out your purpose in life and when you share your life with others. When you discover your purpose, then you will know where you are going and you will never be lost. At the end of the day, it is not about me, it is about the lives of the people whom I have touched. Because by others, by serving others, one will be able to know who we are and will be able to discover more about ourselves.

    I pray that I may fill my heart with love and my life with service.

  • MISSION CROSS: HANDUMANAN SA MISYON

    MISSION CROSS: HANDUMANAN SA MISYON

    Why do we love making memories?

    What strengthens the bond of friendships, of families and communities are the memories (unforgettable ones) that they make together. This is what I believe, at least in my personal reflection. And there are three reasons that I see why.

    First, because it was done “together.” Joy is being experienced being together with people we love and cherish. “Togetherness” is such a big word but means a lot when we have the presence of each other. The company of each one is enjoyed and friendship or family tie is developed.

    Second is the opportunity to know each other more. Discovering ourselves and others brings learning opportunities for us especially of the likes and dislikes, of the differences, strengths and weaknesses of our friends and/or family members. Allowing ourselves to be discovered, of who we really are and welcoming others too, bring us towards intimacy, to a deeper friendship or relationship.

    Third, this inspires growth in us, growth in the way relate with others, growth that we experience personally, as a group of friends and as a community. Behind this growth were the moments of “sharing” – in extending oneself for a friend, for a family member. This is how we share food, drinks, resources, time and our presence. We also share our stories, share our burdens as well as our joys. We share our person, our talents and abilities to one another.

    Growth then, is experienced when we learn how to extend and go beyond ourselves for a friend, for a brother, a sister, a parent, a cousin or a relative. Because of these experiences and reasons of making memories, we make “memorabilia” – like photos which we commonly have. In the past, we have photo albums created and labeled each photo to remind us of those memorable events.

    The Parish Mission Cross

    The three-month Parish Mission in San Isidro Labrador Parish, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur, became an opportunity for me as a missioner and a pastor with the Mission Team, to make memories with the people. Aside from the photos we have, it has been the tradition of the Redemptorist Missionaries especially here in the Redemptorist Province of Cebu to erect mission cross in every chapel and community to remind us and the people of the mission that we share together.

    With Ate Portia Awayan, FLARE, Ate Milgaros “Erot” Miole – Chapel Coordinator of Upper Itil, Balabagan, LdS

    The Mission Cross, as it bears our Christian identity, culture, tradition and faith in the Risen Christ serves also as a “reminder to the people that as a Church, we continue the mission of God.”

    The formal three-month Parish Mission in celebration of the 50th plus 1 anniversary of the Parish did not just end there. The Mission Crosses now erected in the Parish and in its chapels bear the identity that each of us, is a missionary. As missionaries we make more memories as we relive the memory of Jesus in the Eucharist and in every Sacrament that we celebrate.

    As a young Redemptorist Missionary, the Mission Cross, as Handuman sa Misyon (Reminder/Sign of the Mission) imprints three realizations for me.

    First is the “JOY” of being with the Mission Team and with the People of God in Balabagan. The presence of each member of the team and of the many people in the Parish paved the way towards friendship.

    Second is the opportunity for me to discover myself more, my strengths and weaknesses as a team leader and as a young pastor. As I discovered myself, I also began to develop friendship with the people and to learn more in welcoming differences.

    Third is the experience of personal growth by being challenged to go beyond my comforts, to take the risk to become a person for others. Moreover, what inspired more of the growth was the very experience of generosity of the team members and of the people around me. They have not just shared their resources but also their talents and abilities, time and presence, their hearts and homes. This became an occasion for me to develop more friendships and homes among the people of Balabagan even in the midst of this pandemic.

  • Mission Experiences

    Mission Experiences

    Reflection by Pearllyn Obina

    Pearllyn, known to us as La Ling, was a full-time Youth Mission Volunteer during the 3-month mission in the Parish of San Isidro Labrador, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.

    It’s difficult to have two religions at the same time because I know that I have to choose one. And I chose to be Catholic because this is what is in my heart and mind. I too have my personal reasons why I did not choose the other one.

    As I joined the Redemptorist Mission Team in San Isidro Labrador Parish, Balabagan, that was also the time of discovery about myself and time for me to learn more. Yet, I was anxious and afraid at the same time.

    I had mixed emotions. I was anxious, afraid and happy during those times when I was with the Mission Team.  I was anxious that I might not be able to connect and relate with them since it was my first time to meet and mingle among missionaries. They might have many expectations from me that I could not do. I was afraid that my father’s relatives or worst my father himself might see me with them. Yet, I felt happy also because I was given the chance to make new friends. I do not have many friends in my hometown. I have been out of town for a long time when I left to study. I was overjoyed too because I had many opportunities to learn more in serving the Lord and ways in living out fully my Catholic faith.

    I have many mistakes and failures. I caused pain to others and especially towards my family. Because of these memories, it led me to ask myself. Am I deserving enough to be part of this mission? Why me? I don’t have enough knowledge in my Catholic faith. The only thing in my mind is that, this is (Catholic) my religion and I commit myself to it.

    The 3-month long mission in San Isidro Parish in Balabagan, I served as a local youth-mission volunteer. With this experience I learned a lot in living out my faith today.

    I also realized that there were many things that I thought I could not do, but then, I did. The Mission Team helped me and gave me the courage to do what I was most afraid of before. I stood in front of many people and began to deliver talks and reflections. Though, I know that what I did was still very simple and I have not yet fully overcome my stage-fright, but then, I did my first step. I know now that I can do it if I shall will it.

    It was also because of this mission experience that I gained the courage to express my hurt feelings which I have been keeping for a long time. I am deeply hurt by my father. I hated him for almost half of my life. I served the Lord with hatred in my heart. Yet, the days of being with the Mission Team became a way for me to see the light and to let go of those hatred and anger in my heart. In all of these, I know that it was the Lord who may this possible for me to meet these people. Through them, I slowly moved out from the darkness of hatred that my heart has been controlled so that I will be able to serve the Lord fully and wholeheartedly.

    I myself, have become a recipient of the grace of this mission. I have learned that planting hatred in my heart will only ruin myself. I learned to forgive the one who have hurt me and to ask for forgiveness to those I have hurt. I realized how important it is to love one another and to love friends as well as enemies. Indeed, serving the Lord is not a platform to advance my personal agenda and not a space so that people will recognize and love me. This is an invitation for me now to serve and love the Lord with all my heart and mind. I will serve God until my last breath. Amen.

  • THE GIFTED YOUTH-MISSION VOLUNTEERS

    THE GIFTED YOUTH-MISSION VOLUNTEERS

    When the Parish Mission in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur was being planned, our major concern was not on security because it’s a Muslim majority community and not because of restrictions of the health protocols. These were given situations already and necessary measures were already conceptualized. The major concern was, who will be part of the mission team? As a matter of fact, there were only two young Redemptorist Priests and one seasoned Lay Missionary and the possible participation of three seminarians. Yet, this number was not enough.

    In order to respond to this major concern, we need the presence of Youth-Mission Volunteers. Why the young people? The young can easily adapt and mostly characterized by their readiness to learn and unlearn.

    A photo after the Thanksgiving Mass at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel, Purakan, Balabagan, LdS.

    We have expected to have two or three Youth-Mission Volunteers. However, as soon as we have started the Parish Mission, we got two full time, two semi-full time and 2 part time Youth-Mission Volunteers. We have a total of six. This was more than enough.

    Mimi

    Of the six, we have Mimi, a teacher by profession. She resigned from her online teaching career few weeks before the mission began. Mimi is an active member of our Redemptorist Youth Ministry who is already serving and assisting RYM-Iligan during her free time.

    Pearllyn

    There was Pearllyn, known to many as La Ling. She’s a Tourism graduate, a choir leader, half Meranaw – half Christian and speaks Meranaw fluently. Herself and Mimi were our fulltime volunteers and the princesses of the team.

    We have Charles, a college student and an incoming college seminarian of the Prelature of Marawi. He’s quite shy but bright, sensitive to the needs of the team and dependable. With him was Darwin, also a college student, who became a family decision-maker. He’s confident, and intelligent  whose potentials and talents are about to be discovered. Both of them were our semi-fulltime volunteers. Though they were expected to join us on weekends after their online and modular classes but have been with us most of the time. This did not affect their studies though, but was able to manage their time well.

    Charles, Sir John, Jom, Sir Jeorge and Darwin after the Rite of Commissioning of the four at the chapel of San Isidro Labrador Parish.

    We also have with us two teachers. Sir Jeorge is an elementary teacher. He’s an in-demand teacher by the parents because of the quality of teaching he gives to his pupils. He’s gifted with patience and big amount of understanding. There was Sir John too, a friend during my novitiate year. He’s a former seminarian of the Missionaries of Jesus and now a Senior High School Teacher.

    The 3-month Parish Mission would not be possible, lively and fruitful without the presence of these six gifted, talented and self-sacrificing Youth-Mission Volunteers. Each of them gave not just the best in them but the whole of their being for this mission.

    Thus, being with them gave me such three wonderful experiences which I would like to emphasize.

    First, it was a fun-filled experience being with these guys. Our group-study sessions, dishwashing and cooking assignments, practices and module simulations were filled with laughter. We always found the brighter side of our work and of our ministry. We were not only limited to giving sessions and prayer meetings and sacraments to the people, we have also spent time together picking young ferns for salad, digging sweet potatoes, opening up coconuts, eating, playing, swimming, singing and acting.

    Second, it was a spirit-filled experience being with them. We know that the spirit brings creativity, freshness and youthfulness. There was so much creativity shared and being discovered even from the altar decorations to the presentation of modules and delivery of the talks. The very presence of these Youth-Mission Volunteers brings that freshness and youthfulness in the mission.

    Third, it was a God-filled experience being among them. The mission itself with the presence of the people and of these Youth-Mission Volunteers, these were the very opportunities for me to encounter God. “God is young; He is always new”, as Pope Francis said. Even despite our limitations and imperfections, God makes wonderful things out of us. This was what I have witnessed being among the Youth-Mission Volunteers because of the desire for change, for spontaneity and for life.

    Out of these fulfilling experiences, there are two lessons that I have learned as a missionary priest and as a youth minister.

    First, to allow the young to speak and to speak their mind and their heart. This gives a space for the young to be creative, initiative and sensitive to his and her surrounding and community. Their thoughts and ideas, no matter how naive, lacking and limited, but those are ways to expand their horizon and discover more about themselves and others.

    Second, to learn with them and to become a co-learner with them. This does not diminish the direction of a team leader but it rather enhances the process of learning and unlearning things. This helps one another to slowly unravel each gifts and talents, affirm and correct one another.

  • KINDNESS FLOWING LIKE A RIVER

    KINDNESS FLOWING LIKE A RIVER

    About mid-morning, our sub-team loaded our mission vehicle with 12 pieces of plywood to be delivered to Barrio Bakikis. This was a village in the Municipality of Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur but still part of the Parish of San Isidro Labrador in Balabagan. From the Parish Church, the Barrio was about 8 kilometers with a shallow but wide river to cross.

    It was raining the night before but when we have reached the river, it was still shallow and the water was clear, enough for us to see the sand below. We have to cross the river again, we did it many times before this. Yet, ahead of us was a big truck loaded with sacks of cement already stuck and buried in the sand.

    I wanted to take the risk. To make sure of it, I asked Darwin, our local-youth mission volunteer to check the level of the water. The water was below the knee. It was very shallow.  So, I took the risk and took the right side of the already-stuck-and-buried truck. I was confident then, our mission vehicle is a four-wheel drive. I engaged the gear and drove.

    To my horror, our mission vehicle began to slow down once it was fully in the river. I felt the sand below was soft but deep. It was like mud. My confidence fell down and I knew at that moment, there will be two vehicles stuck in the sand of that river. No matter how I stepped on the gas, the tires got more buried in the sand. I had to stop then, and prepared to get wet.

    It was sunny and the heat was scorching. It was still mid-morning and the rain would usually come late in the afternoon. Yet, I noticed, the longer I stood in the sand, my feet were slowly buried. I realized, the tires of our mission vehicle as well as of that big truck, were slowly being buried into the sand.

    I was very worried and blamed myself for being so confident. People along the river watched us but no one dared to help us, at least not yet at that moment.

    A Christian who recognized me as the new priest, crossed the river with his motorcycle. He volunteered to get help from Barrio Bakikis. He noticed that there were strong and well-built men along the river, but expressed his dismay that they will not be able to help us. They were Mëranaw, an Islamized Indigenous group of people in Mindanao. It was their Holy Ramadhan and they must have been fasting. They could not help us and not willing to help us this time. “They do not have the strength,” he said. This was understandable. I can only blame myself. The man went with Jenel, our postulant to call for a rescue.

    Yet, it was almost an hour, no rescue arrived. The tires were slowly buried in the sand. I became more worried and anxious. Several small and four-wheeled cars have crossed the river already and offered us no help.

    However, something inspiring happened. It began with a young man, he was a Mëranaw, who tried to cross the river with his motorcycle from our side but got stuck too in the middle.

    Immediately, Mimi and Pearllyn, our lady-youth mission volunteers offered help to him. The three of them pushed the motorcycle. But to the disappointment of the man, who did not understand Cebuano, his motor got more buried in the sand. I came and help them too. The only way to rescue it, was by carrying it. And so we carried the motor with all our strength. It was not that big but it was really heavy. Finally, he was able to cross the river.

    To my surprise, he did not go ahead to his destination. He left his motorcycle in dry land and secured it and went back to us. By that time, few men arrived from Barrio Bakikis to help us but they were not enough. The young Mëranaw joined with us and lo and behold, other Mëranaw who were merely watching earlier joined us in the river. The young Mëranaw personally tied the rope and led in pulling our vehicle. Another Mëranaw man volunteered to maneuver our car. Others were at the back to help in pushing and others also were lining up with the rope to pull.

    Simultaneously, the car engine kicked then together we pushed and pulled. We did that in three attempts until we have secured the mission car out of the river. There were more than 20 men who pushed and pulled our mission vehicle, both Muslim-Mëranaws and Christians. Everybody was delighted and everyone shared a victorious smile.

    (Once our vehicle was secured, we also tried to do the same to that big truck. Yet, it was just too heavy and our number was not enough. We tried the same process for a few times, but no luck at all. All we could do was contact a bigger truck to pull it back into the dry land. Later, I was informed that the heavy truck was rescued late-afternoon just before it rained again.)

    I realized, it was indeed, a wonderful sight. Not just because our mission car was rescued finally but I saw a rare event where kindness was overflowing like the river at that moment.

    I realized, kindness can cross barriers, boundaries and differences may it be in our language, culture and faith tradition. Our team experienced kindness from people we did not expect. Indeed, kindness from strangers is inspiring and infectious. As kindness inspires and moves people, kindness also touches our heart and soul. Thus, kindness itself is like a river. It freely flows and flows abundantly.

    From this moving and inspiring experience while being stuck in the river, there are two invitations that we can always remember.

    First. Be kind to everyone even to strangers. To be able to express our kindness to a person in need of help reveals our innate goodness. This makes us more human.

    Second. Let our kindness flow and see how it inspires others and brings changes into our heart and mind. Kindness is not a calculated act of charity and does not even count the cost. It does not expect anything in return because kindness is an expression of a truly generous and happy person.

    The Small Christian Community in Barrio Bakikis. The first two photos were during the Thanksgiving Mass, end of the 3-month long mission. The last photo was during the BEC (Basic Ecclesial Community) re-orientation.