A Song for a Witness of Faith

          Pedro Calungsod will be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI today in Rome. Thousands of Filipinos are now there headed by His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Archbishop Jose Palma. Henceforth he will be called St. Pedro Calungsod. “Lay Catechist and Martyr” is the official title given by the Vatican to this new Visayan saint. He becomes one of the icon proposed to our youth in this Year of Faith.

           His title emphasizes two things: First, the need to know and grow in the faith. Though he was a mere teenager when he went to the mission with Fr. Diego, he already knew his Christian faith. As the saying goes: “one cannot give what one does not have.” The French Jesuit, Fr. Charles le Gobien writing in the 17^th century referred to him as a “virtuous catechist.” That would mean, he served generously and shared his faith ardently. This year, let us read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We can also join seminars and on-going formation to deepen our faith. For instance, this October 23-25 I am organizing the 4^th John Paul II Conference in Don Bosco Formation Center – Lawaan, Talisay for this purpose (for more information you may call 273-3095).

         Second, the need to witness to our faith. This is the biggest challenge for Catholics today. Martyrdom is a gift reserved for a few. Not all can die for the faith, but every Christian is called to live the faith in his or her own particular situation. In the early days of Christianity, to practice the faith was difficult because of persecution. It was a crime to be a Christian then. (It is almost becoming a crime also to some countries today). Yet despite the hardships, they passionately suffered and endured joyfully for their love of Jesus. Such witness was so powerful that the 2^nd century Church Father Tertullian wrote: “the blood of martyrs is seed for the Church.” More than an intellectual knowledge of Christ, the need today is a personal encounter with Jesus. More than knowing about Jesus, it is about having a strong attachment to Him for believing in Him means following Him through thick and thin.

       In his honor I recently wrote a youthful song entitled: “Witness of Faith.” The lyrics recounts Pedro’s life and ends with a challenge for the youth of today:

There was this boy who loved the Lord,

Who grew up with the law of God within his heart.

He asked to join Fr. Diego’s band;

To teach the faith to people in a far away land.

This young lad is our own – a Bisaya.

Refrain:

He is Pedro Calungsod

Lay catechist, a virtuous youth.

He is Pedro Calungsod

Courageous martyr, a witness of our faith.

He struggled much from the day he arrived;

He couldn’t grasp their language; couldn’t reach their hearts.

He prayed to God, made much sacrifices.

And to the children he became a “kuya” and guide.

This young lad is our own – a Bisaya. (Ref.)

Then came the day the ultimate test,

Of his love and courage to his Master and Lord.

To defend a friend, Fr. Diego San Vittores

He chose to die with great love and forgiveness

This young lad is our own – a Bisaya (Ref.)

Now its our time. We’re next in line.

The future of the faith is right within our hands.

We’ve got to be witness of faith

Let’s make a stand and tell the world our love for Christ

For this lad is one of us – a Bisaya (Ref. / Change Key)

End: Stand and believe!

           

May St. Pedro Calungsod intercede for all Filipino youth so that they may find in Jesus the true meaning of their lives.

Viva St. Pedro Calungsod!

Attachment

When I was a kid, my uncle Jeffry gifted me with a small rooster. But he did not just “give” it to me in a box with a ribbon! I had to catch it from their farm in Obo-ob, Bantayan Island. With the help of my other cousins, it was an adventure to run after it for hours. We were able to finally catch it when it became so tired of running.

That day, I was so proud to have a new pet. I brought it home to the city where I took charge of feeding it daily. Before I go to school I would prepare its diet of “tahop” and water. I was so excited to go home immediately after class to watch my pet grow everyday. It became like a ritual to me. I would caress it and play with it spending time and money to nurture it.

But one day, it was attacked by an unknown virus. At first it became weak and would not eat. I never thought of bringing it to a veterinary then. But daily I watched it deteriorate. Then it died! I was so devastated. I even cried from loosing a pet rooster. I have become so attached to it as if it were a part of my life.

Disordinate attachment can be a dangerous thing!

The Gospel last Sunday (Mk 10:17-30) illustrates the danger of deep attachments. The young man in the story was a good lad. He was a conscientious observer of the commandment. He loved God with his heart. But there was something more Jesus challenged him to do: give up his wealth!

At this he felt sad. He could not part with it. He was so attached to his riches. No way will he give it to the poor! It was just too difficult. He went away sad for he loved his wealth more than Jesus. He failed to recognize that the real treasure was Christ!

We can be like this young man in the Gospel. We can also be attached unto something or someone. It becomes disordinate when we give it a greater value more that it should be.

A young person may be attached to a cellphone. The 2009 Young Asians Survey show that 26% of Filipino youth are inseparable from their cellphones or around 1 out of 4 young Pinoys couldn't live without their mobile handsets. Others may be attached to the internet becoming even addicted to online games or chatting. Or perhaps their girlfriend, boyfriend, barkada or their school work and activities to the point of neglecting their Sunday duties to God.

Adults could also be attached to their work or leisure. Vices could also be sources of attachments like smoking, drinking or gambling. The “Truth Survey” commissioned by the Manila archdiocese-run Radio Veritas conducted during the second quarter of 2012 showed that 57.7 percent of the 2,500 Catholic respondents were found to be unmarried in churches. One reason for this is that people are attached to their freedom. Getting “tied” in marriage will be a burden for them.

Whatever it is that we are attached to, let us ask the Lord Jesus to give us the grace of detachment. Let us pray that we may have a big love for God and have the wisdom to recognize, like St. Teresa of Avila, that God alone can fill up our life.

Marriage and Family

One of the songs I usually hear during weddings is “You and I.” This song was popularized by Shirley Bassey. The lyrics of the 2^nd stanza are worth reflecting:

You and I are going on together.

‘Til the time we have is gone forever.

Watch the evening drawing on together.

Growing older, growing closer.

Making mem’ries that light the sky.

That only time can make;

That only love can make;

That only we can make: You and I

In the Gospel of the 27^th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mk 10:2-16), Jesus teaches that marriage is togetherness that lasts for a lifetime. “What God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

Today we pray for our families. We remind ourselves of the importance of the building and the strengthening of our family ties.

3 P’s that should characterize our families:

1.      Partnership

The 1^st Reading narrates that God wanted to find a suitable partner for man. Dogs, cats or various animals and birds cannot be man’s partner. By nature, man and woman are complementary partners. Marriage can work out if husband and wives becomes real partners. They work together as a team in coordination with their children. This partnership must be characterized by mutual respect and trust in each other. Above all they are to love each other unconditionally.

I heard this story from another priest that once a former student came to him for counseling. “Father,” he said “I can’t understand my wife anymore!” He was in the verge of tears. After some minutes of silence, the priest took out his Bible. Opening  it on Gen 2 and he began to read:

So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep,
he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib
that he had taken from the man.

After reflecting the man said: “Now I know why I can’t understand her. I was sleeping when God created her!” To this the pries said: “Don’t just understand her. Love her.”

2.      Presence

Parents need to be visible. Be there for your children. An example I could not forget was set by Sec. Jesse Robredo. Despite his busy schedule as a public official, he would make it a point to go home and spend time with his family and children. He was “rushing home” when his plane crashed  near Masbate to attend the recital of one of his daughters the next day.

St. John Bosco’s mother, Mama Margaret, was only 29 years old when she became a widow. Having to raise three kids (the youngest of whom was John Bosco) with a meager income, several comfortable marriage proposals were offered to her. But she turned them down. “God gave me a husband and has taken him away from me. On his deathbed he entrusted three children to me. I would be a heartless mother if I abandon them at a time when they need me most.” She spent her life for them.

3.      Prayer

Family life is full of trials and problems. Both husband and wife cannot possibly do it alone. Thus they need God’s partnership. They say that a strong married life is represented by a triangle with God that gives stability to the relationship. As the husband and wife draw closer to God, they also come closer to each other. For this reason prayer life in the family is essential for the growth of faith among its members. It has always been said: “The family that prays together, sticks together.”

One prayer moment recommended for the family is the rosary. October 7 is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope John Paul II recommended it as a Family Prayer. For him, the rosary “takes the family into the heart of the faith.” It becomes a spiritual and educational opportunity for parents to teach their children contemplation and union with God. Through the devout recitation of the rosary, the family is able to nurture their interior life and neutralize harmful trends into their children’s lives. Thus God become the center of family life.

As we begin the Year of Faith, let us pray for our families that it may truly be Christian in its partnership, in being present to each other and grow in prayer and faith.