Ayoko ng Garapal

When we were young, most of us would have heard some of our elders say cuss words. Of course, all of us would become curious what those words mean. One time, I asked my late aunt Mommy Rosie. All she told me was "Piet, ayoko ng garapal." (Piet, I do not like you to be flagrant.) I never heard Mommy say any foul language. Even when she was angry, she would not say any curses. 

A teacher way back home once admitted that it becomes more difficult nowadays to teach good manners and right conduct because young people are exposed to the President's foul language. I totally agree. Remember when he swore at the Pope for causing traffic when the latter visited the Philippines in 2015? Remember his many statements impregnated with vulgarity? As the youth witness how the President conducts himself, whatever and however he speaks and acts become good examples for them.

Ayoko ng garapal.

Lately, the President called God "stupid" in a speech. I could tolerate his foul language, but to call God stupid is highly uncalled for. This is not exercising his free speech, as some of his apologists would put it. It is actually an abuse of such freedom, because his remarks is plain blasphemy. 

Ayoko ng garapal.

It got me thinking why would he call God as such? Was he angry at God or perhaps he was angry with the men of God - bishops and priests of the Catholic Church - whom he has lambasted ever since assuming office? When Fr Mark Ventura of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao was killed, instead of conveying words of sympathy to the family and parishioners, what did Duterte say? He alleged that the priest had illicit affairs! 

Ayoko ng garapal.

Come June 30, it would be Duterte's second year as President. When he was sworn in, what were the last words of his oath? "So help me God" isn't it? As pater familias, he should have known better what invoking God's help meant. Asking for Divine Providence then and calling the same God stupid later is quite contradictory. Similar to his abhorrence to corruption and allowing Ferdinand Marcos to be buried in the hallow grounds reserved for the nation's heroes or firing his dishonest friends from one government agency and appointing them to another after the issues against them cool down.

Ayoko ng garapal.

I join fellow Christians - Catholic and non-Catholic alike - in condemning the President's irresponsible remarks. As we condemn such act - we are not condemning the person, take note! - let us reflect on what God has done for us. Surely, there is a reason why we call Him loving, merciful, forgiving, generous, and so on and so forth. I'm sure it's what we experienced from Him. Did Mr Duterte not experience the goodness (or any other attributes) of God? I hope not. At any rate, let's pray that he would be enlightened and realize that there is more to know about God. Let's also become good role models for our youth through our gentle words and good actions. 

Let us remain steadfast in the faith, the way Saints Peter and Paul - whose feast day we are celebrating today - lived, defended, and laid their lives for it.

Bokasyon

Good Friday 1985.  Unable to bear the taunts of a few cousins, I cried to Mommy Rosie and told her that I will no longer join in the Pabasa during Holy Week. "Bakit ka titigil eh bokasyon mo yun?" ("Why would you stop when that is your vocation?")  Upon hearing those words, I stopped crying and continued my Lenten devotion until I moved to the UK. (Unfortunately, there are no Pabasa here, although some of us Pinoys have been toying this idea...)

Bokasyon. Vocation. Profession. However we name it, all of us have responded to its calling. Some of us have felt the calling to become priests, doctors, teachers, etc. Apart from one's job, some of us have also felt the calling to marriage or single blessedness. And still, some have also been called to be of service to the Church such as altar servers, lay ministers, choir members, catechists, etc. 

Living one's vocation has its peaks and troughs. At times, we are full of life and enthusiasm and people are cheering for us. But there have also been moments when our efforts seem fruitless or others denigrate us. And we want to bail out. 

Bakit ka titigil eh bokasyon mo yun?

There are also moments when vocation is eclipsed by personal ambition. Take for example our politicians whose calling is to serve the people, but have enriched themselves at the expense of the public. Or the clergy whose vocation is to tend the flock, but have sexually abused children who look up to them as their spiritual fathers. In our own lives, we may have experienced being torn between our calling and our own agenda. And we want to bury our heads in the sand.

Bakit ka titigil eh bokasyon mo yun?

A story goes that when the Christians in Rome were being harshly persecuted, St Peter tried to flee.  Along the way, he met Christ and he asked the Lord "Quo vadis, Domine?" (Where are you going, Lord?) To which, Jesus replied " "Romam eo iterum crucifigi ("I am going to Rome to be crucified again").  Upon hearing the Lord's response, St Peter came to his senses and went back to Rome where he met his end.  He could have ignored the Lord, he could have ditched his mission and go back to become a fisherman, but he didn't. Why? Because Jesus called him to be a fisher of people!

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, let us draw inspiration from these two big brothers of the Church who never stopped in listening to their calling "in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword".

As most of you may already know, this great feast coincides with my beloved aunt's death anniversary. Mommy Rosie, I couldn't thank you enough for posing to me that question. Whenever I feel down, that question motivates me to soldier on.  May God, who called you to be a loving mom to us all, call you now to enjoy His grace and peace in heaven.  We love you!

Old Twigs Must Go

I mowed the lawn a few hours ago, grabbing the opportunity while the weather is fine.  I watered our hydrangeas. Months ago, during the dead of winter, I pity how these plants looked like. Their green leaves have been soggy like spinach leaves being cooked.  Later on, these leaves wither. So too the flowers.  

Then came spring.  The once 'dead' plants started to come alive. The once lifeless hydrangeas (and other plants) have begun to show their leaves.  However, I noticed that there were still old twigs which we haven't cut in late winter.  Strangely, from the same branch where the twigs are, I've seen new green leaves.  To allow the new leaves to flourish, I cut the old twigs (without touching the areas where there are new leaves).  

In a few hours it's already Easter Sunday, that momentous day when Jesus triumphed over sin and death. When Jesus gave a new meaning to our lives. 

I guess we're like those hydrangeas - once dead in the winter of sin and now alive in the spring of Jesus' Resurrection. I guess we too have those old twigs in us - be it those old habits that won't easily die, events in the past that we couldn't get over with, wounds that seem difficult to heal, or sins.  And yet God, in His mysterious plans and unfathomable wisdom, drew new life, drew new beginning, new opportunities, new us out of the bad and unpleasant in us.

The apostles - Peter especially - felt ashamed when the Risen Lord appeared before them.  Just three days ago, they deserted Him. They felt undeserving of such a kind gesture from their Master.  I'm sure we too have the same feeling.  And yet, Jesus tells us "But be brave! I have defeated the world" (John 16:33).

As we celebrate this great feast of the Church, let us take to heart the Lord's words. Let us get rid of the old unnecessary twigs in our lives to give way to new life, new life in Jesus.

Happy Easter!

***

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you, dear readers for supporting our Holy Week special, The Seven Last Words (TSLW). Way back in 2005, when we begun this online devotion, we never thought we would reach this year.  Next year, God willing,will be TSLW 10th anniversary. Ditto the web's.  

Special thanks go to our 7 reflection writers: Rene Paguntalan, Chris Sumague, Carlo Alexis Malaluan, Anabelle Payod-Balla, Nexus-Renaissance Mina, Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento, and Kristine Tangco. Thank you to Archbishop Socrates Villegas and Grace Madrinan for writing the Prologue and Epilogue respectively;  Allan Dabu for designing our poster; Marou Pahati-Sarne and Beth Eguia for helping us in inviting writers; and last but not least Mike Flores for designing our layout. May God bless you all!

Next year, as it's the Year for Consecrated Life, we're looking for religious men and women to be part of our writers. I know this is too early to ask, but if you know someone who could be of help please let us know. Thanks.

A Sunday with the Pope

Being in Rome, for me, would be incomplete without seeing the Pope.  During our first trip to the Eternal City, we didn't get that chance to see Pope Benedict XVI - we arrived a day after the general audience and then we heard that he was on a pastoral visit in another part of Italy.  

The papacy has been an important part of our Christian faith.  It traces its roots from St Peter the Apostle who was chosen to lead His Church.  Because of his role as our spiritual leader, we Catholics fondly call the Pope as Holy Father.  

February 23, a day after the Consistory.  I woke up at 5:30am. After having a light breakfast, we made our way to St Peter's Basilica.  We met  some aunts and a lone uncle from the Valdes Family along the way. Tia Dulce Valdes-Barangan and I were teasing each other for we came early this time! There was already a queue at the piazza. My uncle and godfather Noel Valdes looked for some relatives who may already be lining up. Chiara went with him.  Just a few minutes and he was waving his hand to us.  People were in a huddle as we all waited for the doors of the church to be open.  Chiara was enjoying her time with her great uncles, great aunts, and other relatives.  Nidz, Jackie, and I were next to another uncle (and godfather) Paulino "Sonny" Albano, Papa's oldest brother, the patriarch of the Valdes-Albano clan.  Ninong Sonny was recalling stories of how he heard about Tito Orly's appointment as a cardinal.  I asked him how we became related with the Cardinal as I thought it was through the Beltran side (Cardinal Quevedo's middle name is Beltran; the same surname as my great great grandmother's when she was still single). My uncle explained that it was through the Edralin-Estavillo side; his grandmother (Hilaria Estavillo-Albano) and the Cardinal's grandmother were cousins.

Men smartly dressed approached all those in the queue to remind them of their tickets.  Some of the guests such as Ninong Sonny and his wife Ninang Noemi had special tickets. They were asked to follow the men as they have reserved seats in the basilica. 

The church doors were now open. People slowly made their way passing through security checks. As we entered the basilica, I was pointing Chiara to some statues and pictures.  Ushers were distributing Mass booklets for all churchgoers.  We chose seats near the aisle to have a good view of the Pope. We were quite near the statue of St Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of Nurses. (Just a few days before this occasion, we visited his mortal remains at the Church of St Mary Magdalene situated near the Pantheon.) Filipinos from Cotabato, Tito Orly's archdiocese, sat next to us. For some reason, I didn't see Papa, my sisters Nicola and Kristina, and some other relatives from where we were. I later managed to see my 2 sisters who were sat near to us.

Cardinals and bishops started to arrive. Tito Orly approached a few of us before making his way to the sacristy. In preparation for the Mass, the Rosary was recited. Each mystery was announced in Italian, English, Spanish, and French. The prayers though were in Latin.  Afterwards, the choir led in singing the Salve Regina.  Chiara, with a prodding from her mom, joined in the singing - this caught the attention of my aunt Ching Valdes-Aran and an Italian woman who were both sat in front of us.  Towards the last few lines of the song, I suddenly remembered Lolo Paul, Lola Piling, and Mommy Rosie - all three taught me how to sing this song. I couldn't sing any more.  I just felt my eyes wet.

Mass followed immediately.  I held my breath as well as Nidz's mobile phone while waiting for Pope Francis walk along the aisle. Altar servers, cardinal-concelebrants, and finally the Holy Father.  Pope Francis came across as a simple man. His green vestments and miter were not as ornate as his predecessor's. These simple apparel were matched by the papal ferula - a silver cross used by Pope Paul VI. As he walked past us, I made the sign of the cross. I felt blessed! 

On the right hand side of the basilica, I could see the statue of St Peter sat on a chair. One of the feet of this statue is worn out because of the many pilgrims touching it. During the Consistory, the statue was dressed like a medieval pope with a tiara and cape.  Personally, I would prefer an undressed statue.  First of all, St Peter would not have dressed like that. Second, let's keep things consistent with Pope Francis' simplicity.

The Mass was in Latin, but the booklet has provided English and Italian translations. (I wish though that the Mass was said in Italian. Ditto the Rosary. Italian, unlike Latin, is a living language.) Some readings and prayers were in other languages. The verses of the Psalm were in English. One of the prayers in the Prayer of the Faithful was in Filipino!  The Pope, having only 1 lung, recited all the presidential prayers.  In spite of that, his homily - although in Italian - was full of power. He spoke about the Holy Spirit, underscoring our calling to listen to Him "...who enlivens the Church".  He also mentioned the importance of holiness in the ministry of a cardinal. Furthermore, he reminded that cardinals enter the Church of Rome and not a royal court. To illustrate his point, he enjoined all cardinals to "...avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favouritism and partiality". Towards the end of the homily, he asked everyone for prayers "that the College of Cardinals may always be ever more fervent in pastoral charity and filled with holiness, in order to serve the Gospel and to help the Church radiate Christ’s love in our world".

After the Mass, we once again huddled near the aisle again to catch a glimpse of the Pope.  As he got nearer to us, some from the crowd shouted "Papa! Papa! Papa!".  This caught his attention and he smiled! 

We proceeded to the piazza for the Sunday Angelus led by the Pope. We met Nicola there as well as Ninong Sonny and Ninang Noemi. While waiting for the Angelus, Chiara had a photo op with an Asian bishop.

When the clock struck 12, we saw the Pope from a far distance (in a window on the papal apartments).  I think the location where the Holy Father leads this Marian prayer should be changed to make him more nearer the people. Being on a window of the apartment where he doesn't reside still shows trappings of medieval power. Why not the balcony of the basilica?

In his message, the Pope mentioned that "in Jesus Christ we are all children of God!" and that "Those who have received a ministry to lead, preach and administer the Sacraments should not consider themselves as possessing special powers, as masters; rather, they should place themselves at the service of the community, helping it to pursue the path of holiness with joy". He later asked people to assist the new cardinals through their prayers: "Pray for us, that we might be good servants: good servants, not good masters!" All of us together....must offer the witness of a Church that is faithful to Christ, animated by the desire to serve the brethren, and ready to go out with prophetic courage to meet the expectations and spiritual needs of the men and women of our time".

It's almost a year when Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio was elected Pope by his brother cardinals.  His first act was to ask people to pray for him.  Let's renew our support to the Holy Father - he really needs it considering the many challenges he is facing: clergy sexual abuse, role of women in the Church, reform of the Roman Curia, family life, to name a few.

Heartfelt greetings, prayers, and best wishes, Pope Francis on the occasion of the first anniversary of your pontificate!  May the Good Shepherd continue to strengthen you so that you may "Feed my lambs...Take care of my sheep...Feed my sheep" (Jn 21:15-17). Viva il Papa Francesco! Noi ti amiamo!

Abiding Gaze

Chiara wasn't feeling well these past few days and this may be due to the side effects of her most recent vaccine.  Gone were the days when she was a little baby that her Mom could hold and won't move but just cry when pricked by the injection. She's now more sensible - by the time she sat on her Mom's lap and I hold on her thigh, she started to say "No!"
Early this morning, she woke up crying, looking for her Mom (who was on night duty).  I have to cuddle her so she could go back to sleep.  For some reason, I couldn't sleep even when she was already snoring!  I suddenly recalled what my own mother once told me. When I was still a little boy and was ill, my late aunt Rosalina 'Mommy Rosie' Samaniego looked after me.  What touched my heart was that, according to my Mom, Mommy Rosie didn't sleep the whole time she was there for me! How she managed that is something I couldn't make sense of the first time I heard of it.  Incidentally, today is her 14th Death Anniversary.

Mommy Rosie's sterling dedication, not only in that incident, but in the many other incidents that perhaps I must have written in previous articles, reminded me of two great men called to look after the community of Jesus' believers, the Church: the Apostles Peter and Paul whose feastday is also celebrated today.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter led the Church as its first pope while Paul was its ambassador spreading the Good News through the many countries he travelled to. Their formidable tandem has been instrumental in the life of the early Church and even in our present times. They were human beings with their own frailties, but because they put their trust in God they faithfully carried out their roles till the end.

In at least two churches I've seen in the Philippines (one in the parish church of Kawit, Cavite and another in Sta Cruz, Manila), the statues of Saints Peter and Paul stand on each side of the church's patron as though they were its honour guards or trustworthy companions.  (I once dreamed of having their statues put on each side of St Joseph's statue in the main altar of Gagalangin.  Imagine the two princes of the Church flanking the patron of the Universal Church!)

Mommy Rosie has kept a watchful eye on her family to the point of forgetting herself.  She was always there for us, a help close at hand.  She didn't rely on her own efforts, but more so on the grace of the Lord that she has served faithfully.  I'm pretty much sure we could count on her abiding gaze now that she is enjoying the bliss called heaven.