The previous Monday has been called “Blue Monday” because it was said to be the most depressing day of the year. According to Wikipedia, “…the date was calculated by using many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay), time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action.”
Some of us may have been affected by Blue Monday. Some may not have noticed it to be a depressing day. But I guess, all of us would have experienced a low point in our lives, a moment when our enthusiasm seem to have waned. Have you been through those mornings when you would turn off the alarm clock and go back to sleep? Did you just “go with the flow” at work? Were you tempted to throw in the towel when your prayers seem unanswered or your efforts not being appreciated?
I did.
One morning this week, as I was saying my Morning Prayer while on the bus, I read this quotation of St Charles Borromeo: “He who desires to make any progress in the service of God must begin every day of his life with a new ardour.”
This saying struck a chord in me. St Charles’ words were so straightforward that it made my day.
As Christians, it is our duty to know, love, and serve God. Service to God, as our faith would teach us, is not only confined within the four walls of the church (unless you are a ‘Sunday Christian’) nor is it reserved for priests and nuns. Our service to the Lord is so broad it is that we can serve Him anywhere (home, work, community) 24/7! Indeed as St Paul once wrote, whatever we do let’s do it for the glory of God.
And yet, there are instances when our service to Him becomes “matabang” (lackluster), “papatay-patay” (inconsistent), or done just for the sake of obligation.
As we go back to normality after the Christmas season, as we recover from the symptoms of Blue Monday, as we welcome the New Year let us make it a point at the start of each day to call on God and ask Him for that new ardour, that new passion to serve Him wherever He sends us.
Birthday blessings to my three friends who are all celebrating their natal day today. First, Ms Edna Marco, my former Religion and Music teacher in Letran High School. Ma’am Edna comes across as an approachable person who easily gets along well with her students. When our First Year Adviser was ill and unable to come to class, Ms Marco was our class “takbuhan” (refuge) since her room was just next to ours. I enjoyed working in some school projects with her and Ms Melba Silvela (my Religion teacher in fourth year), memorable of which were our outreach programmes in Marikina and Tagaytay as well as the Valentine’s Day serenade for teachers.
Second celebrant is Rev Fr Roy M Rosales from the Diocese of Pasig. I worked with Fr Roy when he was assigned as Vice Rector of the Manila Cathedral (where I was then serving as a lector/commentator). During his short stint, he was able to whip into shape a number of ministries such as the Lectors/Commentators, Ushers and Collectors, Altar Servers, and choir. I would fondly remember him as always asking us “How is everybody?” and having breakfast with him at the Cathedral refectory after Mass.
Last, but not least is Joe Panganiban, a former colleague in the Manila Cathedral’s Lectors/Commentators Group. Bro Joe was my predecessor as Coordinator of the said group. I learned a lot from him in his grasp of the liturgy and theology.
Happy birthday, Ma’am Edna, Fr Roy, and Bro Joe! God bless you three!
Wishing you all, especially our Chinese readers, a Healthy and Happy Year of the Dragon!
Gong xi fa cai! Xin Nian Kuai Le!
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