Finding our Image in the Darkness

We went shopping one Friday of Lent, two years ago.  We collected 2 portraits - our family's and Chiara's -  and then proceeded to buy some food. As it was Friday, we thought of eating some fish so we we put one on our trolley. (I can't remember now if it's salmon or trout or another specie.) We took some vegetables, fruits, and other provisions for the home.

The big shop was teeming with people - I even saw some colleagues from work or the parish.  People were stuffing their household for the weekend.

As we made our queue to pay for what we shopped, the lights went off.  In a few minutes, we were advised to leave the building, including what we were supposed to buy. Staff members guided shoppers as we made our way out.  Some even entertained questions. Some customers were lucky to go home with their purchased items. Others, like us, waited in the hope that power would return.  

As it was getting cold, we decided to stay in the car. Chiara was getting uneasy. "Are you hungry, baby?," I asked. She gave the affirmative. We went out and made our way to a small canteen located just next to this big shop. Strangely, the canteen has power!  While eating, we noticed some more shoppers making their way to the canteen too.  I was also keeping an eye should lights and all be back in the shop.  There was none. We decided to head home. 

Lent is a moment when we think of those times when we are in darkness.  Being in the dark can be scary. You thought you're already at the end of the tunnel, only to find out you have to keep going. You thought your prayers are already answered, only to discover that they weren't. You kept on hoping against hope.  

When we drove home from the shop, we thought we're leaving empty-handed. We realized we brought home our portraits, our images.  (Luckily, we have paid for these separately before we looked for other items.)  Our shopping wasn't in vain after all!

If we are tempted to give up, hang on for just a second!  We may seem to be empty-handed like the Prodigal Son.  But, we carry in us that portrait, that image of God (Genesis 1:27). This Lent, let's rediscover it. Let's appreciate it. Let's make it come alive so we can reach out to others who may also be in the dark like us and together move from darkness into the Lord's wonderful light (cf. 1 Peter 2:9)!

A blessed Lenten season to all!

***

For the record, I am not supporting moves calling for President Noynoy Aquino to step down from office.  I'm surprised that some men of the cloth have made this appeal. (Strangely, they didn't make a similar move when Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was in power.) While I agree with the view from some quarters that the country is in the dark brought about by the mis-encounter between the SAF and the MILF/BIFF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last month, I believe that demanding P-Noy to step down will thrust our country more into the dark pit! 

Can we just slow down this Lent so we can listen more carefully to the signs of the times instead of calling for someone to resign? Can we just pause and let the darkness of Mamasapano strengthen us Filipinos - from the President to the youngest citizen - towards renewal and transformation (not the transformation these P-Noy bashers are campaigning for)?

Clean

I was thinking of an article in honor of the Immaculate Conception when I found myself in the clinic with Nidz and Chiara a few weeks ago. Chiara, now about 15 months old, was due for her booster vaccine shot. During her first few months, we were regularly in the clinic for various injections: BCG, whooping cough, etc. The baby is a brave girl though, parang walang nangyari (as though nothing happened to her).

Mary’s immaculate conception in her mother’s womb has been a dogma defined by the Church for 155 years already. Ages before that though Catholics from across the globe have already believed that Mary was conceived without original sin, that tendency to commit faults which we have inherited from our first parents. The Archdiocese of Manila is a good example – it has been established under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception centuries before the dogma was defined!

Not everyone though believed in this grace that God bestowed on Mary. St Thomas Aquinas himself did not subscribe to it, according to Bishop Ted Bacani, saying that if Mary was conceived without original sin, then Jesus would not be the Redeemer of mankind!

If kids are given a vaccine to prevent them from catching certain diseases, the Immaculate Conception of Mary, I think, is God’s preventive measure so that His Son’s would-be Mother would not be a ‘carrier’ of that disease called sin which the Son has come to defeat and conquer. I read in one article that, in this ‘singular grace of God’ Jesus has shown how great a great Redeemer He is that He prevented one of His creatures, Mary, from owing that debt (i.e. sin) from Him.

What does this feast tell us then? At a time when we’re getting ready for Christmas, we are called to be clean and to come clean.

Jesus once said “Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God.” True enough the Blessed Virgin not only saw Him, but bore Him in her womb “with love beyond telling” as mentioned in one of the Advent Prefaces said at Mass. We too in a way bear the Lord in our hearts through the Word proclaimed and the Bread partaken at Mass. If we are to bear Him, then we need to keep ourselves clean like tidying up the house for an expected guest.

Elections in the Philippines are going into full swing soon and voters have to be on the watch on how clean these presidentiables and other candidates are in terms of lifestyle and platform of governance. Of course, most if not all of them will say they want to serve the country. Yet we need to see how pure their intentions are. I’m glad that Senator Noynoy Aquino has been making his stand known on many issues like the perennial debt servicing, the Hacienda Luisita, population control, etc. By letting his voice heard, he is slowly moving away from the shadow of his revered parents and proving that he is his own man. On the other hand, I was amused upon hearing that if Senator Jamby Madrigal would be elected president she would hale into court her relatives for allegedly having a hand in disinheriting her from her late aunt’s will. Next candidate please!

Coming clean can sometimes be hard especially when we thought we could get away with our wrongdoings. And then the moment of truth just slapped us on the face. We hit rock bottom, but we should rise up again. I am saying these not on ideal words, but from someone who has experienced the pain of the truth revealing itself at a time least expected. I managed to rise up though, thanks to God who has implanted in my poor soul that hope for recovery. Thanks too to the Blessed Mother who has never turned her back on me.

The recent massacre in Maguindanao has caught the world’s attention on the often frightening political climate in the south. As of this writing three suspects from the powerful Ampatuan clan, have been brought to jail. They have to come clean and I join the rest of our countrymen in asking the government to let justice be served swiftly, without any consideration for political affinity and debt of gratitude – the Ampatuans are members of the ruling political party.

As we once again celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, let us be strong in our resolve as individuals and as a country to follow the example of our Patroness and Mother. If we do so, then peace would be ours as assured by the angels when they first sang the Gloria in that little town of Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.

Ave Maria purisima sin pecado concebida!

***

This feast is memorable to me, as you would know, because on this date Nidz and I began our relationship 16 years ago. She’s cooking something special tonight! I love you, Mommy!

Talking about relationships, this date also marks the 26th wedding anniversary of Tito Paul and Ninang Joji Pablo. Many happy returns to you two on this great occasion!

Finally, it’s my father Mario’s 59th birthday today. My skill in writing has been honed through correspondence between me and my dad when I was still a little boy. Having migrated to the States to work, the only mode of communication we had then were telephone and snail mail. A friend described him as my ‘Number 1 fan’ in the web. Thank you, Papa. Have a wonderful day!