Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Reflection

  • KA-BURIT PARI-A

    KA-BURIT PARI-A

    A person sent me a message via Text early in the morning as I woke up at 6 AM, she texted, “Kaburit ninyo magsayo oi, wa man lagi.” (It was a lie that you’ll be early, where are you.)

                I wondered immediately what Parish schedule I forgot that I overslept at 6 in the morning. Yet, I realized that I only have an afternoon Barrio Mass that day. That, I was certain. As I have become fully awake and checked my calendar of activities, slowly, I also realized that I was already pissed off that morning. “What a bad morning greeting I have received today!” I said to myself.

                As I pondered on that word, “ka-burit!” I have to recognize that I have become angry and quite stunned because of her nerves to text me early in the morning with those words. “How dare she!” again I said to myself. For me, it was very impolite and insensitive to send that kind of message. I felt I was attacked and disrespected. But I have to compose myself and at least would go out of my room still having a good morning.

    I began to brew my coffee and slowly sipped its bitterness. It was bitter but was good! The coffee was good. That changed my mood and decided to let my anger and frustration to subside that I may be able to respond compassionately and lovingly. “I am a priest! I am a pastor! I am not an executive! I am not a boss!” I have to remind myself.

                I have to understand then, where she’s coming from and what prompted her to send me a disrespectful message like that. The day before that, I had an afternoon Barrio Mass. I left the convent 30 minutes before time since it was nearby. On my way there, I was informed that the people had been waiting for more than an hour. As I knew, the scheduled mass was at 5 PM. However, they were misinformed that it was at 4 PM. So, people already gathered in the chapel 15 minutes before 4.

                No wonder, people were already bored and could hardly smile when I arrived! Days before that, I told some of the Lay Leaders in the Parish that I would arrive 20 or 30 minutes before time in order to prepare, talk and mingle with people a bit before the mass. But then, such statement was challenged by this event! That gave me a good laugh as I remembered what I said!

     Mia culpa! Mia culpa! That I can only say to myself. She must have said to herself then, KA-BURIT PARI-A!

              

    As I brought myself to the chapel for my morning prayer, I realized three things that I dare to embrace, accept, learn and live.

                First, not to react out of my emotions, but to respond with grace. So, I replied to her text with this message, “Do we have a schedule today?” (Later I got a reply that it was meant for another person and not for me.) Such grace, I can only attain if I would also remain more aware of my own human emotions, to accept as they are and to discern on how to respond better and not bitterly. With grace, as a pastor I am called to respond compassionately and lovingly. It is therefore not my call to condemn her and express my outrage in a toxic manner. Thus, I shared this with some of my close friends to be able to air out what I felt and get hold of myself, that I may be reminded that I am a priest, a pastor and a friend.

                Second, to be humble and not to be arrogant. I could make an excuse of reacting negatively even aggressively using my authority and entitlement of being a priest and Parish Administrator, yet, this is not what I am called to be. My arrogance will do no good to the community. My entitlement is empty and to demand it, is ruthless. My vocation will be meaningless when it has no witnessing. Hence, this is how I find humility to be so damn difficult! And I am still learning to be one.

                Third, Christ at the center of everything! I could just easily forget and ignore what the Gospel is all about in community building. I could just be indifferent and passive about it, preaching without action, teaching without believing. Yet, it is very unbecoming of me, a contradiction of what I have committed. Therefore, Christ should rather be at the center of everything, not myself, not my privileges, not my whims, not my feelings, not my titles. It is a call for me then, to find Christ and make Christ to be at the center of what I do, what I say, what I dream and what I pray for it is him that I follow and in him is the fullness of my joy and peace.

                With all of these, may I not become and be called, KA-BURIT PARI-A! Hinaut pa.

  • Reflection on the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help 2023

    Reflection on the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help 2023

    Drawing strength and inspiration from the recent events in my professional & spiritual life, I am sharing this reflection to all the followers of this beautiful blog, “A Dose of God Today”.

    This day, June 28, 2023, we celebrated our Parish Fiesta in honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help here at St. Clement’s Church, Redemptorists, La Paz, Iloilo City.

    As one of the volunteer counselors of our St. Clement’s Pastoral Care & Counseling Ministry, this year’s fiesta theme “Hands of Mary, Hands of Hope resonates well with me.

    Looking back on how I started my devotion to this blessed image, brought me to acknowledge the hands of Mary – the hands of God in the unfolding of the events in my life. As early as elementary days, we gather as a family to pray the Holy Rosary each night. During Wednesdays, my late mother would lead the novena prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Being a college student at Iloilo Normal School (now West Visayas State University – my current workplace), her strong devotion to the Blessed Mother became a solid foundation of our family’s spiritual life. She inspired & taught us to become closer to Jesus through Mama Mary. This, too, I know has been contributory to my decision to join the Redemptorists as Lay Vocation Promoter/Guidance Counselor for fifteen (15) years. I always behold Mama Mary’s loving care in those precious years which deepened & concritized my being a missionary partner of the Redemptorists. I have been growing & flourishing in all aspects of my life.

    After my missionary endeavors with the Redemptorists, I treaded a different path: counseling and teaching in the academe. I always recognize God’s hands in the scheme of things in my new life. Due to my immense love for Mama Mary & Jesus, I started to answer a calling to found the St. Clement’s Pastoral Care & Counseling Ministry together with my counselor-friends and two young Redemptorists, Fr. Jom & Fr. Deriz.

    Weeks before the fiesta of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, I had been crazy busy as the Associate Dean of our Graduate School. There were no appointments and referrals for counseling. I know Mama Mary has been taking good care of me during these challenging times. She allowed me to rest- practice Self-care on Sundays even if it’s my turn to be on duty at our Pastoral Care Office since there were no clients in need. When I was able to regain my strength and ready to serve again, a new client asked for a counseling appointment. So I have a reason to be available on that Sunday. In the course of our counseling session, I was teary-eyed and a deep sense of joy wrapped around me as I was listening to the narration of my client. In the road to recovery from a major setback in life, she recognized God’s and Mama Mary’s hands. One of the protective factors she pointed out was her parent’s prayerful and deep connectiom with Jesus/God.

    I know that our fiesta’s theme: “Mary’s hands, hands of hope – are words made true in the life of my client. Indeed, I am always hopeful that our clients in the ministry will recover & get healed.

    God through the intercession of Mama Mary has arranged the events which allowed me to join the Procession & Parish Night with another volunteer counselor. It is Providential that today is a holiday – thus we both were able attend the Fiesta Mass. We also shared the meal with the Redemptorist Community after a simple yet beautiful and inspiring mass. The preacher who was a young Redemptorist priest shared a very deep and moving life story of how Mama Mary played a crucial role in his journey as a Redemptorist priest – brought him closer to Jesus and answer the call to be of service to the needy and the most abandoned.

    These events inspired me to continue to serve as a Volunteer Counselor & Directress of Our St. Clement’s Pastoral Care & Counseling Ministry. Being a partner in the Redemptorist missions calls for a deeper commitment to love and serve the needy. With huge responsibilities and a plate full of tasks, I am not hesitant to devote my time during weekends to this ministry. This apostolate draws me to be closer to Jesus. Through the intercession of Mary – Her Hands, Hands of Hope- I am entrusting my professional life and our apostolate to Jesus through Mama Mary. With a deep faith in these two central figures in my spiritual life, I resolved to be an instrument of healing and recovery.

    Thus, let us be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit so that God’s/Jesus’ and Mama Mary’s hands will be instrumental in our desire to be of service to humanity. VIVA MARIA!!! VIVA JESUS!!!

  • Kalilintad. Kalinaw, Kapayapaan. Peace

    Kalilintad. Kalinaw, Kapayapaan. Peace

    A Reflection by Charles James S. Antolan – a College Seminarian of the Prelature of Marawi

    Kalilintad, kalinaw, kapayapaan, these are just some of the many other translations of the word “peace” that most people seek to live in. It is a state which people especially in Mindanao, thirst for over the years, decades, even centuries.

    On June 19-21, 2023, I attended a Peace-Building Seminar held in Midway Minkay Resort, Tubigon, Initao, Misamis Oriental. The said program was actually entitled “Culture of Peace and Peaceful Conviction Workshop for Catholic and Faith-Based Leaders“,  organized intentionally for the Lay Parishioners/Leaders of the Prelature of Marawi, by Pakigdait, Inc., a Non-Government Organization composed of Muslim, Catholic and other Christian-denomination leaders. The workshop aimed to provide a safe space for interfaith conversation and to co-learned on peaceful convictions and connections.

    The three-day peace-building workshop was composed with three inputs and series of team building activities. The first input was given by the Bishop of the Prelature of Marawi and Pakigdait BIL Chairman, Most Rev. Edwin A. dela Peña, MSP, DD. His talk narrated the history and interfaith journey of the Prelature of Marawi where the late Bishop Bienvenido “Tatay Bidu” Tudtud was remembered and paid homage. Bishop Edwin put emphasis and elaborated the Prelature’s Vision, “To offer a reconciling presence among Muslims through dialogue of life and faith“.

    The second input was given by Ma’am Jenny T. Sanguila, the Program Manager with her topic “Introduction to Peaceful Conviction and Culture of Peace“. And the third input was about “Islam and Peacebuilding” given by Ustajdh Abdul Kareem Ambor.

    With all of these three inputs, the common thing that struck me the most is the word “dialogue.” It is through dialogue that we overcome conflicts. I agree that conflict is a normal part of any relationship; people tend to have conflicts because each of us has our own unique history and character, and perspectives in life. But it is dangerous, in the sense that, if not addressed properly, it might lead to violence. Thus, the challenge is to direct this conflict towards a process of positive change.

    Throughout my life, I have experienced several kinds of conflicts in the family, among my friends, and even with myself. Years ago, I remember specific persons where I had conflict with, it just started with a small miscommunication and led to ignoring and avoiding which lasted for several months before becoming friends again. Honestly, I am not proud of saying it because the relationship was restored not through dialogue or any process of reconciliation. It just so happened through a particular situation where there was a need to deliver a word and from then slowly repairing the broken relationship without dealing the problem.

    I recognize that I was driven by my ego to choose not to make an initiative to reconcile. The same situation happened in me four times with different persons. Now, whenever I got conflicts with other persons, I struggle to set aside my pride yet I also strive to manage myself and try to start dialogue with the person I’m having the conflict with. For me, it does not just give peace but makes me more humane and to grow in my humanity.

    Before her input,  Ma’am Jenny Sanguila gave us an activity of drawing our sign of peace. On the blank sheet of paper, I drew three intersecting circles. For me, it shows that despite of our differences, culture, religion, philosophies, personalities, we still have lots of similarities that bind us, that make us united, and that we are all human persons sharing the life and a home entrusted to us.

    So much for that, I enjoyed every team-building activities we had. Teamwork was enhanced and messages were pondered. The “Build that bridge” activity taught me how important communication skill is, the capacity to understand and to be understood, and most especially the capability to connect with others despite differences.

    My most meaningful activity for me was that activity (activity name unidentified) where a representative from a group was blind folded and had to pick up specific emojis as many as possible that were scattered on the ground with the help of team members’ guidance. With that activity, I realized the importance of listening skills. When I was blindfolded, I found myself in need of others’ guidance by listening to their voices. What made the challenge difficult was that there were many shouts, dictations, and directions that even the other team was also giving me false directions.

    For me, one of the significant messages it conveyed was to identify the most reliable and trusted individuals. Today, there are many deceiving voices that we may hear that claim to be right but would only lead us to misfortunes and wrong outcomes. In line with our faith, we have to identify the voice of God constantly calling and talking to us.

    The peace-building seminar was fun, enjoyable and full of takeaways. I am glad to meet some parish leaders and youth in the Prelature and made memories with them. I hope and pray that we may continue to become peace builders in our respective parishes and communities. May God continue to bless all of us. Maayong Good Morning.

  • Reflection on Lk. 1: 39-56 – Feast of the Visitation

    Reflection on Lk. 1: 39-56 – Feast of the Visitation

    by Ms. Portia Sylvia D. Awayan, RSW – Redemptorist Lay Missionary

    There are two significant moments happening in this reading.  The first is Mary’s generous visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, in which feast we celebrate today, and the second is Mary’s bursting into song of praise, which we commonly call “the Magnificat.”

    The theme of the Visitation centers on Mary setting out to a mission of charity, while the Magnificat is inspiring us to live a life full of gratitude, generosity, compassion, and hope.  The feast of the Visitation reminds us to be charitable to our neighbors.

    As Christians, Mary is our model of charity work.  Travelling a long distance, Mary set aside her own needs and immediately left on a challenging journey to care for her older cousin, Elizabeth, who was dealing with an unexpected pregnancy of her own. Mary exemplified the selfless love of a charity worker. 

    When was the last time that we walked the extra miles just to reach out to a person in need?  Was there a time that we risked our lives in order to rescue an abused woman or a child?  Can we recall setting aside our own needs just to care for someone who was more in dire need?  How many of us have sacrificed much of our time, our money, our job, our love-life, and even our families in order to be true to the Christian values that we profess? 

    Today, Mary’s visitation reminds us to honor the countless Christians who have given away their comforts in order to offer the best service to unfortunate people who are victims of man-made and natural tragedies.  We remember that as Christians, ours is a highly upright calling, and that we are dedicated and committed to serve others despite all odds. 

    Mary’s visit to Elizabeth was a life-giving visit.   She was literally carrying a message of joy and hope and, in doing so, stirred up life within Elizabeth, who was no doubt deeply concerned about her own condition and circumstances.  Our visits to our neighbors can be life-giving, too.  We just do not know how much we are appreciated when we integrate with them, chat and eat with them, listening to their stories and struggles in life.  The image of Mary and Elizabeth, embracing with such warmth, love, and joy, is how we should interact with one another.

    In receiving our neighbors, we are receiving Christ himself.  As Christians, let us strive to mirror Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship with the people in our lives, especially the most abandoned and less fortunate.  Let us embrace each other with joy-filled hearts, humble ourselves so we can see Christ in each other, and allow Christ’s perfect love to radiate through our interactions with people.

    In the Magnificat, or Mary’s song of praise, she focuses on God’s great works, especially His tendency to turn everything upside down. The Lord “scattered the proud and haughty ones,” rather than honoring them. “He has brought down princes from their thrones, and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away with empty hands”. God’s kingdom inverts human structures and values, as is seen so clearly in Mary’s own experience.  So, we continue to hope and work for change in social structures that favor oppression and corruption.  How many Christians suffer in silence due to an unjust system in the workplace, perpetuated by the powerful and the elite?

    We should never underestimate God’s tremendous power and love for us. Our God is a God of surprises. He is all powerful and merciful.  Like Mary, we believe that we will be blessed by God and by the people we serve, from “generation to generation.”  Sometimes, when we least expect it, God touches us with a miracle and our life is changed forever, just like what He did to Mary and Elizabeth.  So, keep on trusting God … Amen.

  • HELLO, LOVE, STAY

    HELLO, LOVE, STAY

    A Reflection by Rizza Mae O. Malalay – Youth Mission Volunteer

    “People said, there are places where we stay longer. There are also places that are mere stopovers. Just like Hong Kong. So you have to make the most out of your time. Because, no one stays here forever” (Sabi nila may mga lugar na pangmatagalan. May mga lugar na dinadaanan lang. Parang Hong Kong. Kaya bawat oras dapat sulitin mo kasi walang nagtatagal dito.) This is the opening line from the trailer of the movie Hello, Love, Goodbye released last 2019.

    Some people in the social media used its audio in their reels/videos, showcasing the placeS they had been and the things they have done. It makes me kind of nostalgic which leads me in this two lingering questions. First, how will you know whether it is forever or only a stopover? Second, how can you get the most out of your time?

    I was recently part of the Davao Redemptorist Mission Team in their Icon Mission in Maco, Davao de Oro. The Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Maco is a Diocesan Shrine. Though it is the Diocesan Shrine, yet, not all chapels know and understand the icon’s background and its elements. They also do not practice novena in their chapels.

    In one of our activities, we introduced the house blessings and the enthronement of the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in their altars. And during those times, there was this Nanay who lived not too far away just an hour and a half of hiking. People in that area would say that it is too far.

    Anyway, Nanay invited us to their home for the house blessing and the enthronement of the icon, which our team gladly accepted. We went there with Nanay’s niece and her granddaughters. When we arrived, Nanay Landa and her husband Tatay Ernesto were delighted. Nanay asked Tatay to catch us some chickens for us to eat and for us to bring. They lived in a small hut in the middle of the coconut trees, no water supply nor electricity. Nanay shared that a lot of bikers would visit them for two things, first, because of the the trail and second, the beautiful overlooking  view of the Davao Gulf, the Municipality of Maco and the City of Tagum.

    During our lunch, stories and laughter were shared. We took a nap as well and rested for a while. We spent about 4 hours there and when we bid our goodbyes. Nanay cannot contain how grateful she was that even though their home was far, we took the time and effort to visit them. She was on the verge of tears when I waved goodbye.

    In another mission area I also experienced riding “skylab motorcycle,” a two-wheeled motor with planks on both sides which can carry four persons. Riding on the skylab motor was never easy at first, not to mention that you need a balance on the other side. I got nervous since the road was bumpy. I also found it hard to choose which side to sit. If I will go the right, I was scared that snakes might jump from nowhere or insects from the leaves of the trees will crawl on me or I can collect twigs for firewoods or worst a branch from a tree might stab me accidentally 😅. On the left side is simply a cliff. So, I chose the former. We were praying and laughing at the same time but what really caught my attention was the toddler who was with us. Her father was the driver, and she was sitting on the tank of the skylab motor. While we were praying and laughing, the toddler was just chilling there and looked at us as if questioning us why we were so noisy. It was so fun that we rode skylab for the 2nd and 3rd times. After those experiences, riding the skylab motor became so easy for me then.

    Those encounters brought me to these realizations:      

    • To Jesus Through Mary. This is one of our modules. That their love for Mary brings them closer to Jesus. I was also moved when one time while doing the house blessing and enthronement of the Icon, a woman who was pregnant bursted in tears while we were reading the prayer and while holding the icon in her hands. I may not know what she was going through but I know that God touched her on that day through Mary. May my love for Mary inspire me to be self-giving, a love that will inspire me not only to remain in the state of loving but also in serving.
    • To Trust and Have Faith in God. It was just like riding the skylab. God is my driver and my balance is my principles in life. If the road becomes bumpy and I’m scared and not secured at all, and the only way for me to save myself is to jump, then I will definitely get into an accident. I am reminded now to be like the toddler, who knows her father well and to trust him above all. I am challenged to know Christ more in order for me to trust and have faith in Him more that whatever comes my way, I will always be and feel safe in His presence.

    Going back to my first question, I am reminded now with one of the lines shared with us by Ate Portia in one of her sessions, “We may be in this world but we are not of this world“. Change is constant and living in this world is not forever, no matter how much I love the place, I am just a passerby. Time will come I will become a memory, so I need to make most of my time in this world, and how can I possibly do it? Just by simply living in a purposeful and meaningful life. Doing what gives me a purpose and doing what gives life its meaning.

    I pray that the love of God will stay with me forever and that I will be able to radiate this love and joy in me with others.