Keep on praying

Prayer can be classified as Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. ACTS for short. The "Glory Be" is an example of adoration. Saying sorry to God for our sins is an example of contrition. If you won the Euro Millions and exclaim "Thank you, Lord" that is a prayer of thanksgiving. If you pray for your or someone else's need, that is supplication.  ACTS can be seen in the Holy Mass, the highest form of prayer.

Prayer can also be described as communal or personal. An example of communal prayer is when religious communities, such as the Poor Clare sisters, gathering together to pray. The Mass is another example of communal prayer. 

A priest, commenting on Jesus' healing of St Peter's mother-in-law (Mk 1:29-31), showed an example of communal prayer when "they immediately told Jesus about her" (Mk 1:30). We cannot identify exactly who's "they", but we could only guess that these were Peter's family and friends. The power of prayer was shown here because Jesus "went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them." (Mk 1:31). Indeed, where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Mt18:20).

The same priest thought that it was also possible for Peter to told Jesus about his mother-in-law and asked Him to heal her. This is an example of a personal prayer. Peter was a staunch follower of the Lord and, in spite of his weaknesses, opened his heart to the Christ. In our personal prayer, we develop a relationship with God.

Towards the end of August we celebrated the feast of St Monica. She was a devout Christian who prayed hard for the conversion of her son Augustine. Unlike Peter's mother-in-law who was healed after people entrusted her to the Lord, Augustine's conversion took a while. Guess how long? Fifteen years!

There was a story that the Virgin Mary appeared to St Monica and gave her a belt, assuring her of Our Lady's intercession. That belt is now being worn as part of the habit of the Augustinians.

St Augustine would later explain that the reason why God sometimes delays answering our prayers is because He is preparing our hearts to receive our answered prayers. St Monica prayed for Augustine's conversion and indeed, after 15 years, he was converted. However, that was not the end of it. Augustine became a priest, then a bishop. He put to good use his knowledge and wisdom. Through his magnificent writings and teachings, he is recognised as one of the doctors of the Church. 

God has bigger plans for Augustine. He has bigger plans for all of us. So don't lose heart if your prayers are not yet answered. God is preparing your heart to receive His blessings which is beyond human imagination. Don't lose hope. Keep on praying!

(This is a reflection I shared during the Filipino Rosary Crusade's Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help held at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish, Bulwell, Nottingham, UK on 31 August 2024.)

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)?

Pia

It was an exhausting Maundy Thursday at the office, especially as the University will be closed on Good Friday till Easter Tuesday.  When I went home, my wife was telling me some news from Manila - Pia Girlie Guevarra, a former classmate and best friend of my youngest sister Kristina, was killed.  At first I couldn't put a face on the name as all my 3 sisters had several classmates who used to go to our house in Gagalangin.  (Years ago, in UST, when a student greets me with the familiar "Manong Piet" I am often dumbfounded as who this person is - until they would introduce themselves as So-and-so, the classmate of one of my sisters.)

While at a loss as who Pia was, I prayed for her and her loved ones during the Mass of the Lord's Supper.  The following day, Kristina showed me Pia's photo. Suddenly I began to recognize her! She was linked to me not only through my sister, but also through her Dad, Angel, a member of the Knights of Columbus in Gagalangin!

Kristina told me the shocking news that Pia was gunned while driving her car - she actually shielded Tita Ruth, her mom from the attack. One of the gunshots hit her heart which was fatal. I learned that she and her mom came from the bank where they withdrew money to pay for the salary of their workers - as the 31st fell on a Sunday and offices are closed from Maundy Thursday, the 2nd batch salary (first batch being on the 15th) was to be given on the 27th. Apparently, the gunmen chased them.  I couldn't help, but ask: Is this how desparate some people are that they would kill in order to steal? I couldn't see the logic at all!

Kristina mentioned to me that Pia's family was attending a prayer meeting during the first few hours of the wake. A religious and simple family, the Guevarras were asking for guidance as they face this trial in their lives.

Pia is the Latin word for loving.  In her untimely and horrible death, her 2 very young kids lost a loving mother; her parents, a loving daughter; her siblings, a loving sister; her friends, a loving confidant.

In closing, I would like to share an excerpt of the "Final Prayer and Blessing" which our group said during our Way of the Cross last Good Friday.  I find this very appropriate for Pia and her bereaved family:

We pray for those...who are killed through violence...for all who die out of due season. That the Lord of all mercies will make good their loss in this life and gladden them with the glory of heaven.

We pray for those who mourn the loss of those they have loved long and well. That their sorrow might be free from hopeless grief and from the agony of bitter regrets. We pray that they might mourn in hope, knowing that the one who is Alpha and Omega embraces the living and the dead in his loving compassion and purpose.

May God bless your loving soul, Pia.

My sincerest condolences to Tito Angel, Tita Ruth, and family.