Wednesday, February 9, 2011

BONDING MOMENTS

One starry night, as I walked going home from a far, I saw a father and son sitting at the cold floor of the street beside the smelly garbage. For some its a pitiful sight, but for this father and son what a lovely moments. The young boy about six-year old asked his father why he do this thing. Collecting with his bare hands the dirty trash from other people's waste. Father at heart he mentor his son saying "my child, if we didn't do it we will not eat." "At your your young age I trained you to become one of the successful men in the world." "See from this scrap we didn't only earn a living but we help this world a better place to be." "And if you keep on doing this thing you will love it, and believe me you will become one of the successful men in the world." " Look not everyone do it, but only the courageous dreamer. No one will get it from you." As the conversation end, I don't know what's the final quest but that moment I catch with my own eyes a lovely conversation from a poor father and son but with a wealthy vision. As I leave them this lesson instill in my heart. "In everything we do we can make a difference if we do it wholeheartedly."

ENCOUNTER WITH THE UNKNOWN

Adoration chapel is the place for a moments of reflection. The modern Mount Sinai, a Holy place wherein you have to remove your sandals not only for the sake of cleanliness,but to feel the Holiness of the place. The Holy Eucharist was exposed.No other image but the Holy Eucharist. It is the place where I go especially when I was lost. I've been from other religion in search for what's the truth. For about five years of attending from other religion I discovered other culture, the faith and commitment.On my search I gain knowledge and acquire how they praise God.One of my spiritual mentor told me,"position is just a title,but for God we are equal, even you have no title act as a leader not to be served,but to serve others." "Because to be a good leader you must be a servant first." Now his doing a mission to other country,but he leave an impact in my life. A stranger who went here in our country just to knock every door in the squatters area. Some people shout at him,but despite of his struggles he still continue with a smile on his face. As a Filipino walking under the heat of the sun is part of my life,but for him who came from a North Pole continent. Wow ! I was moved by his faith. I learn through his actions that if you serve others, think that you do it for God's sake. What a faith,when we talk just a look in his eyes,I understand what he mean. Verbally,sometimes if I don't listen well I couldn't understand his English....Despite of his strength when he pray I saw tears flowing from his eyes. His not my biological father but he became a father and mentor to me. Sometimes I argue with him telling to him that his wrong and I'm right. How fool I am,,,,,despite of differences,misunderstandings that we have,he treat me like a real daughter. He knows when I'm hungry even I said no.

The direction of wind move from east to west, from north to south. As the wind blows I was carried, its not my plan but being a stow away I have no permanent address. Then my destination lead me to Bulacan where I met and work with young but harsh gangster men. I need to be tough. One time instead of cutting the edge of the foil using the sharp cutter accidentally it cut my middle finger ,blood flows. And this tough gangster feel the pain but I don't, I cut my finger not just once but thrice. Physically its painful but I said "I thought your brave why only blood makes you a coward." Despite of their tough style they are afraid to die. That moment I talked to the kindest man on that group. I asked "do you read bible?" " What's bible?" He asked, instead of answering him back I asked him "Do you know Jesus?" "No" wow! a 23 year-old don't know Him, Its started my mission . I'm not a missionary but an encounter with this people taught me to became one. I took out my bible and share  it to him. I introduce Jesus to him. We pray together I hold his hand . He accept Jesus as his savior. That moment we feel the Holy Spirit. I just said "God baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" After that between our gap I feel something cold, that came out from nowhere. I thought I'm the only one who feel it. But to my amazement he react first "do you feel something cold?" I said "yes" Its an Infinite Spirit. God is a living God especially when you call His name. He is there present.That bible that we used, I leave it to him and I said share it also to others. Five months later I leave the place. I planted the seeds and I believe it will sprout and will bear fruits.

Wind blows again,now I encounter other religion saying "We are the only one who will be saved." A righteous people. Well their faith is organized, they are committed people. But my heart says "how about my family,so they will not be saved ?" After that I was in a limbo. Here's the turning point when I return my faith as a child humbly saying"Lord guide me to what is real." God answer"Love is the truth" That's why when I return I said "God help me to bring your lost sheep into your presence. Now the encounter to the unknown is spontaneous. Lately I met a woman who was drunk crying out loud to the Solemnity of Eucharistic Chapel. At first I ignore her but when she said "I couldn't breath"I sat beside her and I asked her if we can  talked outside.But she said "No God is here" "I forgot God" "I'm a sinner" I want to die" words that came out from her mouth. I know she's attention seeker but now its for real. Her hands hardened and she couldn't put it together. I help her but it doesn't work. She said she want to pray so I help her I said "follow me " we pray the "Our Father" after that I said "Now put your hands together and true enough his hands softened and she put her hands together a sign of prayerful hands. Oh my I said in Jesus name heal her and wow what a miracle. After that we help her way outside and I talked to her. I learned how problematic she is. And yes an ordinary person who is weak will collapsed to his faith. And will turn to became insane or commit suicide. After our conversation she hug and kiss me like a saint.

In our life we keep on encountering strangers, if we judge them we lost the opportunity of being a Christlike . Being a Christian we need to have personal encounter with Christ and walk on His footstep. And if you only chose to talk to common friend , to the normal and tidy , the encounter is just usual. But when you listen to the stories, pains and hurts of the unknown,untidy,and to the little one's you can feel God is with you. And this problematic creature will turn cries to smiles. And you yourself will be happy because you don't do anything but to listen with all your heart. To God be the Glory! Amen. :)