This was the place chosen for our community service exposure. Tinago is the Tagalog word for hidden and it indeed expressed its unseen location. It was a sort of wilderness and most houses there were built only through planks of tree leaves. The place was indeed tough to locate and one can get easily lost if you’re not familiar. Going there, one could find a great disparity with the nearby subdivision. The famous Camella homes were also situtated in San Isidro and it was beyond doubt a big contrast. The comparison is like between a majestic palace and our Lord’s Bethlehem.
Our teacher was supposed to be the CI but there was a last minute change. It turned out that our CI was a registered midwife. Along with 3 other Midwifery students, we headed out to San Isidro. We were 6 girls all in all as the other one was late but managed to join us.
After paying a visit to the baranggay hall to inform them of our presence, we walked towards Baranggay Tinago with our host. And upon arriving, there were plenty of children roaming around. Our CI talked to their parents/guardians and told them of our stay from 8 am to 4 pm to teach them ways of improving their lives into healthy ones. We were divided into 3 pairs and here again, my sister and I split due to language barriers.
During the morning, our CI told us to do blood pressure on the people while at the same time do a bit of interview of their life. So, we searched out for them and some agreed and some declined. On our interview and observing them, I noticed that most of them have their TV’s on. They’re really glued on that and yet they’re also poor. They do not have commercial water and rely only in the flowing water there. This was a sad scenario. For it appears to me that they simply divert their being poorness in merely watching TV’s. These people truly need Catholic evangelization since I learned that most of them are Catholics. One can actually get a hunch by simply looking at their houses - they have little statues of the Infant Prague and other blessed pictures of the Jesus and Mary. Some even have the blessed Palms of the Lenten Season. Anyways, after our searched was finished and it’s nearing 12 noon already, we decided to have a lunch. After all, it was really exhausting. Having a door to door approach was not easy since the scorching heat was around. If we were to check our own blood pressure, I guess we’d fall into the high blood category already!
We ate lunch on the house of our host who was kind enough to lend us their hut for our belongings as well. This had become our headquarters. However, this place was truly unimaginable. On the house’s side, there was a piggery and some chickens too. Coming from a well established place, I wasn’t used to this and much more of their flowing water that was on a ground level. I learned that they also take bath there. Here, we washed our hands and did toothbrush. We also washed the dishes they shared with us and it was really a challenge. There was neither faucet nor sink - just a little countertop. I was getting clumsy but it was something that needed to be overcome. Fortunately, I got over with it with much patience (and grin).
After lunch break and preparing our schedule while at the same time resting, our CI told us to explore the community even more so as to continue our blood pressure and interview program. Armed with our BP apparatus, notepads, and pen, we treaded once again. And on our exploring, we were able to have a sight seeing of the vast lands of Mindanao - full of crops and beast of burden. It was like seeing Mindanao from a hill since the road we strolled was stirred upwards. Indeed, Mindanao is rich with bountiful soils and it’s such disheartening that its name is notoriously associated with war and strife.
Much as I wanted to glimpse more, it ended shortly for we have a work to do. But on the way, we also saw herbal plants that are quite helpful to the community and so we listed them as well on our notepads. Anyways, we succeeded in hunting out for the people. Some were resting, others watching, and few were laundering clothes. We talked to them about health and of what their way of living is. One of the interview lists is about family planning and contraception. Our CI is quite modernist here since she insisted on asking it to each and every person and even encouraged its use. Most of the people do not practice contraceptives yet but she was adamant on it saying that it will result on a “good” life. I wish I could stand out but I can’t. The only thing I can do is to remain silent for that’s the current mode of teaching by our head. How ironical for she is a Catholic but her teachings were truly against the Faith.
The second day began with gardening - collecting garbage, raking, and sweeping everything that’s a mess in the ground. Actually, we managed to clean their so called garbage area and put it in sacks so as not to have a port of germs. In this example, we showed them that cleanliness is the first part of having a healthy life. After that, we had a lunch break. Gardening left us almost extinguished for we returned on the hut panting for water and indeed very dirty. After lunch, our companions had a siesta while my sister and I prayed since we couldn’t really get a siesta there.
We were expected to have a 5-day activity there but it was cut short as there was a problem with the CI. She was always late and sometimes asked us to go there by ourselves all alone. This didn’t go well with our mother and so the 2nd day was our last. In our brief stay, it was still a blessing to meet them. I remember how during our livelihood project, we were cooking banana chips for them and the kids instantly grabbed then even though it’s still fresh and hot from the pan. This proved how hungry they were and we always sympathized with them.
I always admire the children there for they’re always cheerful even if their lives turned out poor. This rang a bell to me of Bp. Williamson’s observation of our unfortunate people. He commented and praised them - “the poorer they are, the happier they are.” Undeniably it was. I once saw a child playing with a make shift horse ride. Perhaps, his father made it for him. Playing with them was also amusing since they’re very active. We giggled with them and taught them how to participate on a team. Then, one student asked me to replace her in leading a prayer for the kids since she was a Muslim. I taught them how to pray before meals and most of them already knew the proper Sign of the Cross. It was really breathtaking and sometimes it was enough to dissuade the tiredness that’s lingering already on my whole body.
It was a blessing in disguise that we left already for I really couldn’t bear our CI. I could have ended having a head on collision debate with her ultra modernist thinking when it comes to family planning issue. Yet, when we met our friends at school during our CPR session, they told us that the community missed us and even they admitted of missing our company. Perhaps, when I get the opportunity I shall visit them someday again armed with all the necessary things needed for their sanctification.
Oh Our Lady of Ransom, please protect them from the snares of the devil. I ask that thou keep them for thy Son’s sake and grant that they may soon come to realize the true sense of our Catholic Faith! Amen.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Our Lady of Refuge - Dangpanan Rehabilitation Center (September 22, 2010, Wednesday)
Our CI told us beforehand to research all about the work of drugs in people who abuse it. We were also taught how to manage those who’re on the process of recuperating to a normal life once again.
The location was far from the hub of the city and it took us about 30 minutes to travel there. The surroundings were really barren and the road was quite untouched by any human innovation save by the pavement that resulted from the various kind of transportation trekking there. Our group consisted of 10 Healthcare students - 8 girls and 2 boys and we were scheduled to be there from 8 am to 4 pm. When we arrived, I felt like it had the atmosphere of a seminary. Inside, there were only 6-8 men and most are on their mid 20’s. Of course, there was a supervisor but I learned that they’re the ones who wash dishes, launder clothes, and clean the bathroom themselves. Yes, here they’re beginning to learn once again those old usual routines that they’d left behind in exchange of getting high on drugs.
It was indeed good to see that they’re now safe from those harmful drugs and better still to know that they never actually committed any worst crime at all. But there is still something hanging on from their past lives. Some of their voices still had a slurred speech and a few doesn’t even want to talk with us. Many stared and - it seems - admired our being in the state of normality. Here, we showed them by deeds and words that they too can become independent and happy if they cooperate and participate rightly from the rules of the institution.
There was a guy who wasn’t able to join us since he’s still quite violent. The drugs are still quite present in his body since he’d use vulgar words and shout at us every time he sees us around. He’s just about my age and how I pity that his life turned out badly.
Anyways, after a short introduction, we proceeded to the school’s morning program. We provided them papers, pencils, and crayons to let them draw what they feel inside their inner selves. It’s like cracking the ice here and we befriended them, asking about what they want to do when they already left this house. We also guided them to color the right color on the right drawing. In my case, I helped him do that while at the same time guided him to write the correct letters. Actually, there were 2 students per patient and since my sister and I couldn’t speak nor understand Ilonggo very much, it was decided that we separated and have different partners. After an hour of drawing, we switched to playing a game that was loud and funny. We were divided into 2 groups and so were our patients too. During the first game, our group won. Lunch came and finally, we’re able to rest in their huts located within their big grounds. Here, we were able to share one another’s experience. And our CI kept on reminding us to be patient and the effects of drugs as well. Then, we had a few rest and prepared ourselves for the afternoon program. 1 pm came and we’re braced once again to help them have a normal life. We played, laughed, and talked to them as if we were their siblings never minding our status in life. We focused on their strong side and aided their weakness. It was really hard for us since we exerted every effort to make them comfortable and feel loved in our presence. We initiated indoor and outdoor games so as to enhance their capability of logical thinking. All these we did while at the same time there was intermission of prayer inside their little chapel.
During our 2nd and last day, we’re already experiencing terrible muscle aches. We laughed on how we had barely slept due to fatigue. As a matter of fact, I was sick during those days since I got a cold but still managed to go on.
The day went better as we were already familiar with them and this time, they’re much friendlier. Talking to us became natural to them already and it seems they can now call us their friends. We continued with our programs and the result was a burst of laughter and happiness. Since it was already the culmination day, we taught them how to make a living through paper folding then designing it to make it a flower. The last hour was spent in giving presents and foods and we even sang for them. We also visited the guy who wasn’t able to join us in his cell. Through a grilled bar, we gave him foods and talked to him. He was quite getting calmer now and we stayed with him till he was back again talking nonsense. He had a flight of ideas as our CI used to say to us and we quietly left him already. Anyways, the last speech was assigned to me and I encouraged them to persevere and keep hoping for the better. And to lead a God fearing life for it’s the only way that’s worth leading through after all.
As we parted, I hoped for the best. That even though we may never see again, I trust that God will do the rest in caring for them. There was a little grotto outside and it was there I entrusted to Our Lady all those who reside there to have a sanctifying life.
Oh Blessed Virgin Mary, do thou always assist them. As they recuperate, help them to realize that life is indeed valuable and that God gave wishes it to be sacred all the time! Amen.
The location was far from the hub of the city and it took us about 30 minutes to travel there. The surroundings were really barren and the road was quite untouched by any human innovation save by the pavement that resulted from the various kind of transportation trekking there. Our group consisted of 10 Healthcare students - 8 girls and 2 boys and we were scheduled to be there from 8 am to 4 pm. When we arrived, I felt like it had the atmosphere of a seminary. Inside, there were only 6-8 men and most are on their mid 20’s. Of course, there was a supervisor but I learned that they’re the ones who wash dishes, launder clothes, and clean the bathroom themselves. Yes, here they’re beginning to learn once again those old usual routines that they’d left behind in exchange of getting high on drugs.
It was indeed good to see that they’re now safe from those harmful drugs and better still to know that they never actually committed any worst crime at all. But there is still something hanging on from their past lives. Some of their voices still had a slurred speech and a few doesn’t even want to talk with us. Many stared and - it seems - admired our being in the state of normality. Here, we showed them by deeds and words that they too can become independent and happy if they cooperate and participate rightly from the rules of the institution.
There was a guy who wasn’t able to join us since he’s still quite violent. The drugs are still quite present in his body since he’d use vulgar words and shout at us every time he sees us around. He’s just about my age and how I pity that his life turned out badly.
Anyways, after a short introduction, we proceeded to the school’s morning program. We provided them papers, pencils, and crayons to let them draw what they feel inside their inner selves. It’s like cracking the ice here and we befriended them, asking about what they want to do when they already left this house. We also guided them to color the right color on the right drawing. In my case, I helped him do that while at the same time guided him to write the correct letters. Actually, there were 2 students per patient and since my sister and I couldn’t speak nor understand Ilonggo very much, it was decided that we separated and have different partners. After an hour of drawing, we switched to playing a game that was loud and funny. We were divided into 2 groups and so were our patients too. During the first game, our group won. Lunch came and finally, we’re able to rest in their huts located within their big grounds. Here, we were able to share one another’s experience. And our CI kept on reminding us to be patient and the effects of drugs as well. Then, we had a few rest and prepared ourselves for the afternoon program. 1 pm came and we’re braced once again to help them have a normal life. We played, laughed, and talked to them as if we were their siblings never minding our status in life. We focused on their strong side and aided their weakness. It was really hard for us since we exerted every effort to make them comfortable and feel loved in our presence. We initiated indoor and outdoor games so as to enhance their capability of logical thinking. All these we did while at the same time there was intermission of prayer inside their little chapel.
During our 2nd and last day, we’re already experiencing terrible muscle aches. We laughed on how we had barely slept due to fatigue. As a matter of fact, I was sick during those days since I got a cold but still managed to go on.
The day went better as we were already familiar with them and this time, they’re much friendlier. Talking to us became natural to them already and it seems they can now call us their friends. We continued with our programs and the result was a burst of laughter and happiness. Since it was already the culmination day, we taught them how to make a living through paper folding then designing it to make it a flower. The last hour was spent in giving presents and foods and we even sang for them. We also visited the guy who wasn’t able to join us in his cell. Through a grilled bar, we gave him foods and talked to him. He was quite getting calmer now and we stayed with him till he was back again talking nonsense. He had a flight of ideas as our CI used to say to us and we quietly left him already. Anyways, the last speech was assigned to me and I encouraged them to persevere and keep hoping for the better. And to lead a God fearing life for it’s the only way that’s worth leading through after all.
As we parted, I hoped for the best. That even though we may never see again, I trust that God will do the rest in caring for them. There was a little grotto outside and it was there I entrusted to Our Lady all those who reside there to have a sanctifying life.
Oh Blessed Virgin Mary, do thou always assist them. As they recuperate, help them to realize that life is indeed valuable and that God gave wishes it to be sacred all the time! Amen.
My life as a Healthcare Student (September 22, 2010, Wednesday)
It was partly exhausting and exciting at the same time.
Exhausting since we have to commute almost everyday from Koronadal to GenSan. Sometimes, only getting a few hours of sleep. Plus, having to wear white uniforms, it was difficult. During my first days, it was a mess as I returned home with spots here or there. Gradually, I learned the art of maintaining its spotless e.g. checking first your seat before sitting on and taking care of your bag not to get soiled.
Exciting since I never thought I’d instantly fell in love with nursing. It is quite similar on being a nun - only a bit liberal but has the same essence of forgetting one’s self and learning to put yourself to other souls. What’s more, our teacher was very friendly and can be likened to just an older sister. She eventually became our CI as well. And another thing is that one of the school’s instructors is a long time SSPX traditionalist. This is really a bonus! We’d always greet each other whenever we happened to bumped by each other. Once, she even accompanied us in our lunch and had a chit chat.
Anyways, during our short classroom sessions, we were taught to do vital signs and other nursing duties e.g. handwashing, PPE, and bedmaking to name a few. This curriculum also included other related learning experience and a 5 different exposures so as to allow more real life nursing situation and to enhance the field of study.
Summing it up, this experience left a different kind of sensation to me. It reminded me how blessed I am still to have a life that’s worth calling a good life. It gave me more compassion for the infirm for truly, a sick person need not just warmth but a lending ear to talk to. And lastly, it taught me even more how God is all omnipotent - that in each and every situation, He is there holding and guiding each and every one for His greater honor and glory.
Oh Lord my God, grant that all who seek Thy help earnestly may soon find comfort. Teach us to love the life that Thou hast bestowed on us and to make good on it. Grant that as we journey along the way, the Blessed Virgin will lead us to doing Thy will! Amen.
Exhausting since we have to commute almost everyday from Koronadal to GenSan. Sometimes, only getting a few hours of sleep. Plus, having to wear white uniforms, it was difficult. During my first days, it was a mess as I returned home with spots here or there. Gradually, I learned the art of maintaining its spotless e.g. checking first your seat before sitting on and taking care of your bag not to get soiled.
Exciting since I never thought I’d instantly fell in love with nursing. It is quite similar on being a nun - only a bit liberal but has the same essence of forgetting one’s self and learning to put yourself to other souls. What’s more, our teacher was very friendly and can be likened to just an older sister. She eventually became our CI as well. And another thing is that one of the school’s instructors is a long time SSPX traditionalist. This is really a bonus! We’d always greet each other whenever we happened to bumped by each other. Once, she even accompanied us in our lunch and had a chit chat.
Anyways, during our short classroom sessions, we were taught to do vital signs and other nursing duties e.g. handwashing, PPE, and bedmaking to name a few. This curriculum also included other related learning experience and a 5 different exposures so as to allow more real life nursing situation and to enhance the field of study.
Summing it up, this experience left a different kind of sensation to me. It reminded me how blessed I am still to have a life that’s worth calling a good life. It gave me more compassion for the infirm for truly, a sick person need not just warmth but a lending ear to talk to. And lastly, it taught me even more how God is all omnipotent - that in each and every situation, He is there holding and guiding each and every one for His greater honor and glory.
Oh Lord my God, grant that all who seek Thy help earnestly may soon find comfort. Teach us to love the life that Thou hast bestowed on us and to make good on it. Grant that as we journey along the way, the Blessed Virgin will lead us to doing Thy will! Amen.
Back again (September 21, 2010, Tuesday)
The last months of 2009 and year 2010 turned out as very busy time for me. My brothers did OJT in GenSan while Christmas tide was hanging around at the same time. When January came, I was due (along with my sister) to study Healthcare Services NCII in GenSan. It was to last until the end of March. Then on April, I was burnt out studying the book of Kozier and Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing. May saw the departure of my eldest brother to Manila; the beginning of Healthcare classes of my other 2 sisters (now they’re preparing for the final test this coming Friday); and my studying of Carl Balita’s nursing review book while at the same time having a part time job (still in GenSan) that lasted till June. July saw me preparing again for another nursing enhancement: Basic IV Therapy in St. Alexius College here in Koronadal City. This month also my brother did another OJT in GenSan till August. Then on September, we were busy again as we prepared for his departure to Manila. And as I was thinking of posting here, I caught a cold and forced me to take a few rest once more. Truly, it left me no time to compose my thoughts till this moment came. Finally, I am slowly recovering and I shall begin to collect those things I want to write here.
Oh my Blessed Virgin Mother, I thank thee for regaining my health again and for giving me the strength to hold on. Please keep me faithful to God till the end! Amen.
Oh my Blessed Virgin Mother, I thank thee for regaining my health again and for giving me the strength to hold on. Please keep me faithful to God till the end! Amen.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Catholic Phenomenon (September 12, 2009, Saturday)
Faith without works is dead as St. James admonished in his epistle. And Catholics ought to be the perfect models for every one as the Catholic Church is founded by Christ - the Source of every good. He should be outstanding when it comes to morality and religion. But on the contrary, Catholics these days are the ones who give a far worse model than non-Catholics. It is but a seldom few Catholics who manage to persevere on the true teachings of Our Savior Jesus Christ.
The following article deals about us, Catholics. Written by a Catholic author, it shows how much we Catholics are being wane and lenient. I sometimes asked myself if I am one and if so, how I must fix it the soonest time. I’m now sharing it here for the benefit of my fellow Catholics. In this little way, I hope to awaken a Catholic here or there from a long sleep that’s close to killing the body itself.
My Neighbor
The following article deals about us, Catholics. Written by a Catholic author, it shows how much we Catholics are being wane and lenient. I sometimes asked myself if I am one and if so, how I must fix it the soonest time. I’m now sharing it here for the benefit of my fellow Catholics. In this little way, I hope to awaken a Catholic here or there from a long sleep that’s close to killing the body itself.
My Neighbor
It might startle our confessor if we asked him, “Father, please help me to become a saint.” It might startle us still more if he were to answer, “Who lives next door to you?” No doubt we’d answer that our next-door neighbors were named Jones or Smith or Picklepuss. And we’d wonder what they had to do with our progress in sanctity.
The fact is that too many Catholics - good Catholics, pious Catholics - live a one-sided life. Spiritually one-sided, that is. They are meticulous in avoiding sin, conscientious in prayer, and frequently at Holy Communion. They are engrossed in nurturing a beautiful soul for themselves, but unhappily missing the full implication of the Gospel. They have absorbed well the lesson of the Beatitudes, but they have not balanced that lesson against the Works of Mercy.
The Master was well aware of our human nature’s tendency to selfishness, even in matters of the soul. That is why He hammered away so often at the idea that our attitude toward our neighbor is the true test of our inner health. I am sure that if I had been asked to guess, in advance, how Christ would describe the Last Judgment, I’d have flunked the test completely.
“Come, ye blessed of my Father,” He says, “possess you the kingdom prepared for you.” That much would be easy to guess. It’s on the “becauses” that I’d have tripped up. “Because you were prayerful, and truthful, and chaste; devout, honest and sober.” Something like those would have been my choices. So it is a bit of a shock to listen to Christ’s actual words, especially as they begin to sink in.
“Because I was hungry and you gave Me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; naked and you clothed Me… as long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me!”
So maybe there would be sense, after all, in our confessor’s question: “Who lives next door to you?” And who lives in the house beyond, and in the house across the street? It would be no escape for us to answer that folks next door are hillbillies; that they are fighting with each other half the time and drunk every Saturday night. It would be no defense to say that they belong to some queer sect called the “Church of the undefiled”; that they hate Catholics and that we don’t want anything to do with them. It wouldn’t be our confessor who would answer us. Christ already has done so: “For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? Do not even the publicans do this? And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? Do not even the heathens do this? Be you therefore perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” It is, to say the least, a bit sobering to realize that my spiritual perfection is going to be measured by my attitude toward the man I can’t stand; toward the woman who always gets in my hair; toward the family who has destroyed the peace of the neighborhood.
It is a hard lesson to learn. To realize that the more unlovable my neighbor is the more all out I must go in my efforts to love him. To knock on the back door of “those awful people” and maybe ask to borrow some little thing (since psychologists say the easiest way to make a friend is to ask a favor, rather than to do one). To break down their reserve, and maybe suspicion, with gentle kindness and unobtrusive love. Finding perhaps in the end that the reason they fight and drink is because they are lonesome in a neighborhood where friends are so hard to make.
The reason it is so painful to us is partly because there’s nothing in it for us. There must be nothing in it for us, nothing except the approval of our Master, and that “Kingdom prepared for us,” of which He speaks.
Too often Catholics approach their non-Catholic neighbors with a predatory eye; they wonder how they can be led into the fold; they are disappointed if they balk at coming to the font. But the love of which Christ is speaking must be disinterested enough to transcend even this selfish (if holy) satisfaction. We shall pray for their conversion, certainly; but even more, we must pray for their salvation. The two things are not always coincidental.
I hope that no one will misunderstand me and think that I am belittling personal piety. To praise the rain does not mean that the sun is thereby condemned. The good-works-only type of religion is as bad as the me-and-God-only type.
I am only saying that a man would be an imbecile to spend hours and money in a gymnasium to build up his muscles, then put them to no other use except to flex them before a mirror for his own enjoyment, especially if his neighbor was being crushed to death beneath a heavy weight.
Who lives next door to me? It is Christ!
I once knew a man who did many things which his friends considered foolish. When they would point the finger of criticism at him, he would answer darkly, “I have my reasons.” So if anyone accuses me of harping too much on this theme of fraternal charity, love for my neighbor, I too shall reply, “I have my reasons.”
One of the reasons stems from the sadness I sometimes feel at the thought of how much more powerfully we could be witnesses to Christ, had we but the charity of Christ. We have allowed our non-Catholic brethren to outstrip us in many things that should be characteristic of Christ’s own. The Anglicans have outdone us in their appreciation of, and love for, the liturgy. The Evangelicals have surpassed us in their reverence for, and knowledge of, the Holy Bible. The Witnesses of Jehovah daily us to shame by the fervor of their apostolic, if mistaken, zeal.
And the Quakers, a numerically small and insignificant body, have become synonymous in America with selfless and dedicated devotion to the poor and unfortunate. If our Catholics had the compassion of our outnumbered Quakers, then the modern pagans might exclaim again, as did those of Rome, “See how these Christians love another!” And Christ might reign among us.
The picture, I know, is not all black. We can look around us at the Catholic orphanages and hospitals and homes for the aged, and the steadily increasing amounts given for the home and foreign missions, and for European relief. But we have allowed our charity to become so institutionalized. As though we could answer the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” merely by writing a check or dropping a bill in the basket.
A Communist leader once asked the French Dominican, Pere Leow, “Do you mean to tell me that out of all your hearers - who call themselves good Catholics and never dream of missing Mass on Sundays - there would be a single one who would be willing to share his home, if a worker and his family were wandering around this town this very night, without means or shelter?”
That’s almost hitting us below the belt, isn’t it? What would I answer, I wonder, if a man rang my doorbell today, with a wife and a couple of kids by his side? If he said, “Mister, we’ve been evicted and we have no place to go; could you put us up for a couple of days?” Would I answer, “Sure, I’ll sleep on the sofa and you can have my room!” Or would I run to the phone and call the County Welfare to ask what agency I should send them to? Being big-hearted enough, of course, to provide them with carfare to get them to a caseworker’s desk.
Actually, of course, it won’t happen to me. The day has not yet come when a poor man can say with confidence, “I’m sure of getting help here; this is a Catholic family.”
It’s amazing how few of us have ever seen poverty in the raw. Tenements where the rats run across the children’s bed at night. (And there is only one bed, no matter how many children.) Hovel’s where coal is brought in by the bushel, and husbanded like gold. Shacks where the water is hauled in by the bucketful, and heated only for cooking. (“Even if they are poor,” I hear myself saying, “They needn’t be so dirty.”) Main-thoroughfare property is too expensive for tenements and hovels and shacks, so we don’t see them. And if we see them, they aren’t real to us. No one we know lives there.
It’s surprising, too, how few of us have ever fed a poor man - or woman - with our own hands. I don’t mean that we have a passport to Heaven by the mere fact of seating a beggar at our table, or lugging a basket of groceries to that shiftless Jones family. I only mean that Christ - and His Bride, the Church - would tower so visibly over our city streets, if I could but stop feeling complacent.
If only I could stop thinking that Christ came upon earth precisely so that I and my loved ones might relax in the odor of incense and guttering wax, and be clean and secure and sheltered. If only I could remember that no artist has ever dared paint a picture of “The Comfortable Christ.”
The fact is that too many Catholics - good Catholics, pious Catholics - live a one-sided life. Spiritually one-sided, that is. They are meticulous in avoiding sin, conscientious in prayer, and frequently at Holy Communion. They are engrossed in nurturing a beautiful soul for themselves, but unhappily missing the full implication of the Gospel. They have absorbed well the lesson of the Beatitudes, but they have not balanced that lesson against the Works of Mercy.
The Master was well aware of our human nature’s tendency to selfishness, even in matters of the soul. That is why He hammered away so often at the idea that our attitude toward our neighbor is the true test of our inner health. I am sure that if I had been asked to guess, in advance, how Christ would describe the Last Judgment, I’d have flunked the test completely.
“Come, ye blessed of my Father,” He says, “possess you the kingdom prepared for you.” That much would be easy to guess. It’s on the “becauses” that I’d have tripped up. “Because you were prayerful, and truthful, and chaste; devout, honest and sober.” Something like those would have been my choices. So it is a bit of a shock to listen to Christ’s actual words, especially as they begin to sink in.
“Because I was hungry and you gave Me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; naked and you clothed Me… as long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me!”
So maybe there would be sense, after all, in our confessor’s question: “Who lives next door to you?” And who lives in the house beyond, and in the house across the street? It would be no escape for us to answer that folks next door are hillbillies; that they are fighting with each other half the time and drunk every Saturday night. It would be no defense to say that they belong to some queer sect called the “Church of the undefiled”; that they hate Catholics and that we don’t want anything to do with them. It wouldn’t be our confessor who would answer us. Christ already has done so: “For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? Do not even the publicans do this? And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? Do not even the heathens do this? Be you therefore perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” It is, to say the least, a bit sobering to realize that my spiritual perfection is going to be measured by my attitude toward the man I can’t stand; toward the woman who always gets in my hair; toward the family who has destroyed the peace of the neighborhood.
It is a hard lesson to learn. To realize that the more unlovable my neighbor is the more all out I must go in my efforts to love him. To knock on the back door of “those awful people” and maybe ask to borrow some little thing (since psychologists say the easiest way to make a friend is to ask a favor, rather than to do one). To break down their reserve, and maybe suspicion, with gentle kindness and unobtrusive love. Finding perhaps in the end that the reason they fight and drink is because they are lonesome in a neighborhood where friends are so hard to make.
The reason it is so painful to us is partly because there’s nothing in it for us. There must be nothing in it for us, nothing except the approval of our Master, and that “Kingdom prepared for us,” of which He speaks.
Too often Catholics approach their non-Catholic neighbors with a predatory eye; they wonder how they can be led into the fold; they are disappointed if they balk at coming to the font. But the love of which Christ is speaking must be disinterested enough to transcend even this selfish (if holy) satisfaction. We shall pray for their conversion, certainly; but even more, we must pray for their salvation. The two things are not always coincidental.
I hope that no one will misunderstand me and think that I am belittling personal piety. To praise the rain does not mean that the sun is thereby condemned. The good-works-only type of religion is as bad as the me-and-God-only type.
I am only saying that a man would be an imbecile to spend hours and money in a gymnasium to build up his muscles, then put them to no other use except to flex them before a mirror for his own enjoyment, especially if his neighbor was being crushed to death beneath a heavy weight.
Who lives next door to me? It is Christ!
I once knew a man who did many things which his friends considered foolish. When they would point the finger of criticism at him, he would answer darkly, “I have my reasons.” So if anyone accuses me of harping too much on this theme of fraternal charity, love for my neighbor, I too shall reply, “I have my reasons.”
One of the reasons stems from the sadness I sometimes feel at the thought of how much more powerfully we could be witnesses to Christ, had we but the charity of Christ. We have allowed our non-Catholic brethren to outstrip us in many things that should be characteristic of Christ’s own. The Anglicans have outdone us in their appreciation of, and love for, the liturgy. The Evangelicals have surpassed us in their reverence for, and knowledge of, the Holy Bible. The Witnesses of Jehovah daily us to shame by the fervor of their apostolic, if mistaken, zeal.
And the Quakers, a numerically small and insignificant body, have become synonymous in America with selfless and dedicated devotion to the poor and unfortunate. If our Catholics had the compassion of our outnumbered Quakers, then the modern pagans might exclaim again, as did those of Rome, “See how these Christians love another!” And Christ might reign among us.
The picture, I know, is not all black. We can look around us at the Catholic orphanages and hospitals and homes for the aged, and the steadily increasing amounts given for the home and foreign missions, and for European relief. But we have allowed our charity to become so institutionalized. As though we could answer the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” merely by writing a check or dropping a bill in the basket.
A Communist leader once asked the French Dominican, Pere Leow, “Do you mean to tell me that out of all your hearers - who call themselves good Catholics and never dream of missing Mass on Sundays - there would be a single one who would be willing to share his home, if a worker and his family were wandering around this town this very night, without means or shelter?”
That’s almost hitting us below the belt, isn’t it? What would I answer, I wonder, if a man rang my doorbell today, with a wife and a couple of kids by his side? If he said, “Mister, we’ve been evicted and we have no place to go; could you put us up for a couple of days?” Would I answer, “Sure, I’ll sleep on the sofa and you can have my room!” Or would I run to the phone and call the County Welfare to ask what agency I should send them to? Being big-hearted enough, of course, to provide them with carfare to get them to a caseworker’s desk.
Actually, of course, it won’t happen to me. The day has not yet come when a poor man can say with confidence, “I’m sure of getting help here; this is a Catholic family.”
It’s amazing how few of us have ever seen poverty in the raw. Tenements where the rats run across the children’s bed at night. (And there is only one bed, no matter how many children.) Hovel’s where coal is brought in by the bushel, and husbanded like gold. Shacks where the water is hauled in by the bucketful, and heated only for cooking. (“Even if they are poor,” I hear myself saying, “They needn’t be so dirty.”) Main-thoroughfare property is too expensive for tenements and hovels and shacks, so we don’t see them. And if we see them, they aren’t real to us. No one we know lives there.
It’s surprising, too, how few of us have ever fed a poor man - or woman - with our own hands. I don’t mean that we have a passport to Heaven by the mere fact of seating a beggar at our table, or lugging a basket of groceries to that shiftless Jones family. I only mean that Christ - and His Bride, the Church - would tower so visibly over our city streets, if I could but stop feeling complacent.
If only I could stop thinking that Christ came upon earth precisely so that I and my loved ones might relax in the odor of incense and guttering wax, and be clean and secure and sheltered. If only I could remember that no artist has ever dared paint a picture of “The Comfortable Christ.”
—————————————
Oh my Lady, help us to spread thy most holy Name worthily and frequently! Amen
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Foolish Heart (August 20, 2009, Thursday)
Romantic love is the most common favorite topic of the youth these days and to my total amazement, I found out that it’s common as well among fellow traditionalists. I find it so base to talk about because it is most of the time filled with intolerable heartache if not indecency. It’s not that I don’t find any interest on that. After all, I have had a lot of experience on that.
Recently, I learned of a fellow traditionalist’s story of romantic love. He was heartbroken and couldn’t move on. He even shared a “9 Painful Things” which goes on to be (for him) truly painful. I don’t know but it sucks. It sounded equally foolish as well.
Can anyone be as so significant that it can’t be seen on others? Or is it just the emotion that’s dragging oneself beneath the past? Sure, there’s a time for getting over but many years is already sufficient. Dreaming must give way to reality and one must move ahead.
Immaturity is the only thing that keeps the heart enclosed still on that former love. For it cannot be fidelity to the love that’s not already valid. Yes, to continue loving someone who stops loving you is just like chasing the wind when you perfectly know you can’t truly beat it.
It’s not that I don’t sympathize. As a matter of fact, I’ve been through that. But just like in everything, there are stages. And so must be on this game of love.
Romantic love should be rational. There must be commitment but it ceases as well the moment the other one chose to end it. It’s not for us to force someone to love us after all. Otherwise, it isn’t love but selfishness. It must be understood that most of the time, anything that’s not solemnize can never be permanent. The past is there to be a tool for us on the next time around. And risking to love once more is just another trial for simply getting the best.
One needed not be discouraged if he finds nothing constant. For Our Lord is always rich in mercy and will never tempt us beyond our strength. God’s will is not our ways and we must simply strive to be better - while submitting ourselves wholly to our Creator. As St. Augustine rightly puts it: “Evil exists either so that the sinner may convert or that by it the just may be tried.”
Going back to the “9 Painful Things”, I’ve enumerated mine here which I believe are honestly painful. Read on.
9 Painful Things
9. Time flying fast.
8. Knowing too much.
7. Having complicated life.
6. Standing alone.
5. Experiencing wrong principles as right ones.
4. Forgiving worst injuries done to you.
3. Accepting your weakness.
2. Seeing God too much desecrated. and above all…
1. Offending God who had suffered much for you.
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, on this month dedicated to thee, I ask that thou shelter those who’re heartbroken. Give them the necessary grace to struggle for the ultimate good! Amen.
Recently, I learned of a fellow traditionalist’s story of romantic love. He was heartbroken and couldn’t move on. He even shared a “9 Painful Things” which goes on to be (for him) truly painful. I don’t know but it sucks. It sounded equally foolish as well.
Can anyone be as so significant that it can’t be seen on others? Or is it just the emotion that’s dragging oneself beneath the past? Sure, there’s a time for getting over but many years is already sufficient. Dreaming must give way to reality and one must move ahead.
Immaturity is the only thing that keeps the heart enclosed still on that former love. For it cannot be fidelity to the love that’s not already valid. Yes, to continue loving someone who stops loving you is just like chasing the wind when you perfectly know you can’t truly beat it.
It’s not that I don’t sympathize. As a matter of fact, I’ve been through that. But just like in everything, there are stages. And so must be on this game of love.
Romantic love should be rational. There must be commitment but it ceases as well the moment the other one chose to end it. It’s not for us to force someone to love us after all. Otherwise, it isn’t love but selfishness. It must be understood that most of the time, anything that’s not solemnize can never be permanent. The past is there to be a tool for us on the next time around. And risking to love once more is just another trial for simply getting the best.
One needed not be discouraged if he finds nothing constant. For Our Lord is always rich in mercy and will never tempt us beyond our strength. God’s will is not our ways and we must simply strive to be better - while submitting ourselves wholly to our Creator. As St. Augustine rightly puts it: “Evil exists either so that the sinner may convert or that by it the just may be tried.”
Going back to the “9 Painful Things”, I’ve enumerated mine here which I believe are honestly painful. Read on.
9 Painful Things
9. Time flying fast.
8. Knowing too much.
7. Having complicated life.
6. Standing alone.
5. Experiencing wrong principles as right ones.
4. Forgiving worst injuries done to you.
3. Accepting your weakness.
2. Seeing God too much desecrated. and above all…
1. Offending God who had suffered much for you.
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, on this month dedicated to thee, I ask that thou shelter those who’re heartbroken. Give them the necessary grace to struggle for the ultimate good! Amen.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Medical Mission 2009 (August 15, 2009, Saturday)
I grew fond of following the news of ACIM-ASIA’s annual medical mission in this Island. They were on their 3rd year actually and still, it surprises me that more and more medical volunteers are coming from outside the nation to lend a helping hand to our many poor Filipinos here and there.
TB on its final stage, brain deformity, glaucoma hitting on its worst, so many diverse diseases and complicated sickness from one patient to the other with only a limited stack of medicines, one couldn’t help feeling dismay and powerless. It seems the end is here for in every patient, there expresses anguish. Yet it is here where one is needed to be strong. The discovering of a new strength must begin there. A strength that far surpasses the human force. A strength founded upon faith. For the more hopeless it seemed to be, the more we should rely on this strength. Rightly then should we exclaim the authentic words of Our Lord that power is made perfect in infirmity.
But there was something that struck me most on this medical mission. The picture that captivated my heart for the first time ever was that of a child lying on his bed with the priest before him praying. The child was comfortably sleeping like the usual thing we see on TVs or photo albums. Or so I thought… But as I read the screen tip afterwards, I was mistaken. The child was on his way to eternity and the priest was there to administer the Last Sacrament and aid the soul departing form the body.
How could such a child of tender age happily accept his unfortunate situation? It seems to me that he didn’t show any discomfort outwardly for even on his last hours, he managed to slightly curl himself sweetly and with one outstretched hand full of loving gesture. Picture’s worth a thousand words and how I wish to imitate this child when my time approaches! I could only thank the there was a priest right away.
Anyways, compassion is always at the heart of this mission. Charity knows no bounds and even if there were lots of misunderstanding among the volunteers themselves, I’m sure they found a way of making truce with one another to keep the mission on-going. The presence of the priests, nuns, and pre-postulants made things run even smoothly for they had provided the spiritual side of life. It is the backbone of the mission wherein one rushes to sustain themselves form exhaustion - doctor or patient alike.
Perhaps this is the main reason why I always felt a great interest ever since this mission was started. Here you see the world unmasked from the false notion that everything is fine. Hunger, ailments, and poverty in the physical and spiritual sense are prevalent. It calls for mercy. And it is an everyday challenge to face the oddest with full of calmness and courageousness. Yes, even the ability to be great yet humble for the meek. Indeed, only the bravest can respond to this plea. And this, I saw on them.
Oh my Lady, on this feast of thine ascending to Heaven, teach us to have a firm conviction of loving God with thee. That in the end, we may be like unto thee who assumed into Heaven spotless and clean! Amen.
TB on its final stage, brain deformity, glaucoma hitting on its worst, so many diverse diseases and complicated sickness from one patient to the other with only a limited stack of medicines, one couldn’t help feeling dismay and powerless. It seems the end is here for in every patient, there expresses anguish. Yet it is here where one is needed to be strong. The discovering of a new strength must begin there. A strength that far surpasses the human force. A strength founded upon faith. For the more hopeless it seemed to be, the more we should rely on this strength. Rightly then should we exclaim the authentic words of Our Lord that power is made perfect in infirmity.
But there was something that struck me most on this medical mission. The picture that captivated my heart for the first time ever was that of a child lying on his bed with the priest before him praying. The child was comfortably sleeping like the usual thing we see on TVs or photo albums. Or so I thought… But as I read the screen tip afterwards, I was mistaken. The child was on his way to eternity and the priest was there to administer the Last Sacrament and aid the soul departing form the body.
How could such a child of tender age happily accept his unfortunate situation? It seems to me that he didn’t show any discomfort outwardly for even on his last hours, he managed to slightly curl himself sweetly and with one outstretched hand full of loving gesture. Picture’s worth a thousand words and how I wish to imitate this child when my time approaches! I could only thank the there was a priest right away.
Anyways, compassion is always at the heart of this mission. Charity knows no bounds and even if there were lots of misunderstanding among the volunteers themselves, I’m sure they found a way of making truce with one another to keep the mission on-going. The presence of the priests, nuns, and pre-postulants made things run even smoothly for they had provided the spiritual side of life. It is the backbone of the mission wherein one rushes to sustain themselves form exhaustion - doctor or patient alike.
Perhaps this is the main reason why I always felt a great interest ever since this mission was started. Here you see the world unmasked from the false notion that everything is fine. Hunger, ailments, and poverty in the physical and spiritual sense are prevalent. It calls for mercy. And it is an everyday challenge to face the oddest with full of calmness and courageousness. Yes, even the ability to be great yet humble for the meek. Indeed, only the bravest can respond to this plea. And this, I saw on them.
Oh my Lady, on this feast of thine ascending to Heaven, teach us to have a firm conviction of loving God with thee. That in the end, we may be like unto thee who assumed into Heaven spotless and clean! Amen.
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