Dec. 2, 2011 - CHRISTMAS JOY & TRADITIONS

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas greetings ring throughout the Christian world during this season which commemorates the birth of the Christ Child- Jesus. The exuberant joy that permeates the atmosphere is seen in the wide-eyed wonder and beaming faces among the young and old alike as they make special preparations for Christmas. There is the putting up of tinsel balls and decor including those saved from last year's, the planning for tried and untried recipes for the Christmas dinner and the shopping for gifts to be given to people close to our hearts. True, there is so much rejoicing for the unprecedented love for all humankind that finds lavish expression during this time of the year. Gift-giving has become a tradition. Remembrance of those we esteem or simply care for who are in far-off places find its way in the notes or greeting cards that criss-cross the postal mail or the waves of cyber space.

Family traditions of varying forms have sprung in many countries that celebrate the coming of Jesus into this world. Dinner after Midnight Mass called, "Le Reveillon," always has oysters as its main course in Paris. It is also a tradition to leave food and drinks on a table with a fire burning nearby for the Virgin Mary who visit homes during Christmastime. In Italy, the opening of the season starts eight days before Christmas and is announced by the sound of cannons firing from the Castle of Sant Angelo in Rome. How uniquely different are the letters written by Italian children! They do not write to Santa Claus asking for gifts, but to their parents to tell them how much they love them. The letters are normally placed under the father's plate and read after the Christmas Eve dinner. The Nativity Scene and gift-giving are part of the Christmas traditions in Portugal. The Three Wise Men are the gift-bringers not Santa Claus. Children put shoes along window-sills and doorways with carrots and straw to lure the horses/camels of the Three Kings. Codfish and fruitcake are Christmas dinner mainstays. In Spain, every household has the "Belen," the Nativity scene, called "Creche" by St. Francis who first portrayed it with real live animals in the Umbrian hills during the 13th century. Spanish Christmas dinner begins with prawns and roasted lamb with the tradional "turron" or sweet almond for dessert. In Germany, the Christmas tree is an integral part of the Christmas celebration since it actually originated there. A German Christmas without the green fir tree is definitely inconceivable! In Poland, the tradition of "wigilia" or a 24-hour fast that begins on Christmas Eve is followed by a meal of 12 courses - one course representing one apostle. In Czechoslovakia, midnight mass is followed by a dinner which highlights fish. Fish scales are traditionally placed under dinner plates with the belief that it would bring wealth to the household. Carrying a fish scale in the wallet will ensure that the person would never lack money throughout the year. In Argentina, the "Pesebre" or Nativity Scene is an important part of the Christmas home decor. Christmas Eve is celebrated by the release of "Globos," colorful paper balloons lit from inside. The beauty of the "globos" flying in the night sky is a thrill to behold! In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, an official holiday, thanks to the Russian Orthodox Church! A priest visits every home during the season to bless every room with Holy Water. Singing carols from house to house is limited to the first day of the season since it is truly White Christmas there with temperatures dropping to minus degrees. In China, Christmas has now become a festive occasion for an increasing number of its people. They join the ten (10) million baptized Christians who celebrate Midnight Mass.

The Philippines is predominatly a Catholic country. It is the third largest Catholic nation in the world second only to Brazil and Mexico. The incalculable religious fervor among its people was dramatically illustrated when Blessed John Paul II celebrated mass in Manila (1995) with four (4) million people in attendance - the largest ever recorded in papal history. Speaking of superlatives, it is reputedly the only country celebrating the longest Christmas season. This is so because of the many customs and traditions associated with the festivities.

The tradition of the "parol' or Christmas lantern in the shape of a star hang in the front windows of most homes is a tribute to the Star of Bethlehem which the Magi used to guide themselves toward Christ during the time of His birth. The "aguinaldo" or gifts usually in cash to godchildren held during Baptism or Confirmation hold equal sifnificance in the Filipino psyche. The traditional singing of Christmas carols by children from house to house has now become a perenial activity among the adults who solicit funds for their ministries to help the poor and the disadvantaged. The "Noche Buena" or family Christmas dinner after the Midnight Mass is preceded by the Simbang Gabi, a Filipino tradition which is now a worldwide phenomenon wherever a group of "kababayans" or ethnic citizens reside.

"Simbang Gabi" is a nine-day novena of very early morning masses instituted by Spanish missionaries during the colonization of the Islands in the 1500's. The "Dawn Masses" which usually started as early as 4 AM allowed farmers and fishermen to participate in the Liturgy before setting out for the day's work. Nowadays, "Simbang Gabi" may either be held at 5 AM or at 8 in the evening. A special intention which may be of thanksgiving for all the blessings of the year or for health or financial issues usually predicates attendance in the novena. It has been said that completion of the novena assures God's favorable response. Be that as it may, "Simbang Gabi" celebration show the faith and devotion of a people to God Who is in control of their lives.

Breakfast after "Simbang Gabi" is sold right in temporary stalls erected within the church grounds. Vendors offer a wide variety of native delicacies. Family, friends and neighbors alike renew friendship or start new ones over the traditinal fare of "bibingka" (rice, flour and egg cake cooked on a clay pot with hot charcoal above and below it), "puto-bumbong" (a purple sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes with shredded coconut meat and brown rock sugar) and "salabat," hot ginger tea or "tsokolate," hot cocoa. It is during the "Simbang Gabi" and the observance of other Christmas traditions that the Filipino kindred bonds are biblically "seven times forged" for generations to come.

The mode of celebrations, the dates and traditions vary across the globe, but the spirit of Christmas remains the same everywhere - the spirit that makes people more kind, more forgiving, more concerned with "the other," more willing to make sacrifices to make loved ones as well as those difficult to love, happy and filled with love - an imitation of the ultimate LOVE brought by Baby Jesus to the little town of Bethlehem!

COME, LORD JESUS, COME !

Nov. 27, 2011 - THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. It is the anniversary of our Blessed Mother's apparition to a young novitiate, Catherine Laboure in the chapel of the Convent of the Daughters of Charity on 140 Rue de Bac, Paris, France in 1830.

November 24, 2011 - THANKSGIVING DAY

Today is Thanksgiving Day ! Isn't it wonderful that the first President of the United States, George Washington in 1872 officially established the last Thursday of November as a special day to give thanks to our God for all His bountiful blessings and favor on us.

There are many things I am grateful for to Almighty God. I give thanks for my overall health which at this age keeps me still up and about with considerable ease even able to withstand the rigors of travel abroad. I give thanks for my family who is the source of immeasurable joy and fulfilment from the eldest member to the youngest grandchild, Melanie. Their solicitous concern and support is exceptional in depth and substance which pales by comparison some that my peers receive from their very own "flesh and blood," I give thanks for my set of relatives who are always there for me in all circumstances and at all climes, giving full meaning to the saying, " Blood is thicker than water." I give thanks for the circle of friends whose friendship I have treasured through all these years. The Charismatic Renewal and the Simbang Gabi Prayer Group have filled my life with "soul mates" who have been a "blessing" for me in so many innumerable ways. Like the psalmist of the Word, I sing and chant praise and thanksgiving for the gift of LIFE!

Today, I recall two incidents in the past which would have cost the loss of my life.

The first incident occured when I was only fourteen (14) and a high school student. On most weekends, I used to visit my elder married sister, Lourding, who had a baby named Cora. I loved to play with Cora and in so doing take care of her while my sister did other chores. The visits also afforded me the chance to read her books on Nursing since she was a nurse. I don't remember why I took a fancy of those reading materials.

One Saturday morning, we went to the Luneta, a popular park in Manila which fronts the Manila Bay. Some people traversed the huge rocks that bordered the shores so as to swim in the crystal clear water then. Not knowing how to swim, I just calmly sat on a rock with my legs dangling in the water reaching up to my knees. I savored the beautiful scenery of rippling waves, one row after another rushing towards the shore .The shimmering glow of sunlight on the frothy waves was a beauty all its own. The many pockets of white clouds against the wide expanse of blue sky competed in getting my attention and appreciation. Lulled by the serenity and majesty of my surroundings, I failed to notice that the waves were getting stronger and larger. Suddenly a huge gust of waves and wind swept me off the rock and hurled me way out into the bay. I struggled to shout for help in-between mouthfuls of water as my arms frantically tried to keep my body afloat. It took some time. The few instances that I could pop up my head above the water, I said, "Jesus," again and again. I knew it was my end! I grew weak and limp and let go. The next thing I knew I was lying flat on my stomach on the cement parapet of the Luneta and Ciding, my sister's maid, massaging my diaphram and waist as spurts of water came out of my mouth. JESUS sent Ciding to rescue me! I was profuse in my thanksgiving to our Lord! Since then, I realized the power of the NAME of JESUS. To say His name alone is a PRAYER!

The second incident happened at Nazareth, Israel in 1995 when our pilgrimage group was booked at the St. Gabriel Hotel, a former monastery, located on the summit of a hill. Without telling any of my friends, I decided to enjoy the magnificent scenery after dinner. I sat on a tree stump on the edge of a cliff overlooking the whole town that starry night. I had a commanding view of the Dome of the Basilica of the AnnunciationI illuminated by a bright full moon and the tiny lights of the houses below. After a long interlude of assimilating the peace and beauty of the panorama, I decided to go back to the hotel but in so doing made a wrong footing so that I hang on the cliff with only my hands holding on to the tree stump for suppport. I called on "JESUS" again and again. Then a sudden gust of strong wind lifted and pushed me forward to safer ground. I was saved ! I have written of this experience in some detail in my Journal with the title, " Cliff Hangar in Nazareth."

Psalm 91 is my favorite psalm..." God says , " I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord; when they call to me, I will answer them, when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them."

The NAME of JESUS haspower. It is a prayer!. When you look up and call JESUS, He will look down and give you His Mercy, His Peace, His Love!

Nov. 16, 2011 - PARABLE OF TALENTS & COINS

The Gospel today is on Luke 19: 11-28 which is about a nobleman who gave his servants gold coins for use. He gave each of his servants a single gold coin. This parable is related to last Sunday's Gospel of Matthew 25: 14-30 where a master gave his slave 5 talents, another one, 2 talents and a third slave, 1 talent; each according to his ability.

In Hebrew culture at that time, a talent was a monetary measure equivalent to 6,000 denarii. Since a laborer receives 1 denarius wage for a day's work, it would take him 20 years' to earn one (1) talent.

In the parables, the main message is to respond to God's grace (gifts) by making a genuine effort throughout our lives. All of God's gifts must produce fruits - yield a profit. It does not matter how many gifts we have received. What matters is our generosity in putting them to good use. The punishment for infidelity through neglect ( sin of omission ) is the same as for lack of repentance. The first and second slaves made sizeable profits from the talents / coins entrusted to them. The third slave hid the talent/ coin for fear of the master who he knew was a strict man who "gathered which he did not sow." Fear paralyses. It brings about spiritual blindness and deafness. It stifles creativity. The third slave did not make use of the talent/ gold coin and was sent to " a place where there was gnashing and grinding of teeth." Do you know where this place is?

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly message. The parables of the talents and coins show a few salient points for us to ponder:

1. Each of us received gifts from God. The gifts vary in number, form and quality according to God's purpose. A person may have one unique gift while another may have several abilities. We are bound to respond to make a genuine effort to use these gifts for the greater good of God's kingdom. Of course, the first ones to benefit from our gifts should be the ones closest to us - our family. The fulfillment of our responsibilities to our family should be our top priority. The willful neglect to use these gifts is a sin- the Sin of Omission. Very often the sin of omission happens because of the predominant self-centeredness within some individuals and in others, the gnawing narcissitic tendencies developed from childhood of abandoned discipline. In the Confiteor at Mass, we say, " I confess, O Almighty God that I have sinned , through my fault, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do."

2. Diligence is rewarded and negligence is punished. In the parables, the nobleman/master praised and rewarded the servants who made use of their talents/coins and the one who just hid what was entrusted to him was severely punished. When we come before the tribunal of God on Judgment Day, He will make us accountable for what we did with our gifts. Have we been faithful in our use of our gifts? Sin displeases God So, the sin of omission will receive God's justice.

3. Whatever we have, our abilities, gifts, opportunities, etc. belong to God. We are merely "stewards." Hence, everything we do should be done with a view of the "day of reckoning" which will surely come.

November 4, 2011 - HELLO, EGYPT !!!

The afternoon news on TV today showed some unrest in Egypt caused by radical Islamic groups. Scenes of violence and hundreds of injured citizens in Cairo made me recall my visit there in 2005 when everything was " sweet and dandy, " so to speak.

I remembered having received a brochure from Adriatic Tours which announced a trip to the Holy Land and Egypt for May 9th to May 23rd of 2005. I have enjoyed the excellent quality of their service since the 1990's in more than seven trips to Europe and even to its Eastern sector of Poland, Austria, Hungary and Czeschoslsovakia. Anton Salah, the general manager and dedicated Christian has rightfully earned the esteem he enjoys in the travel industry for so many years. And I echo the applause he deserves! I knew that the trip would be something uniquely memorable.

From my readings, I have known Egypt as a land of superlatives - the grandest pyramids that have stood for thousands of years, the river Nile which is the longest one in the world and the largest temple complexes on planet Earth. It was the visit to Egypt that caused an irresistible desire in my heart to sign up. My unbridled enthusiasm to join a trip which included an ancient civilization in Africa was triggered by two things:

Firstly, Egypt is in Africa and setting foot on its soil would tantamount to my having visited six (6) of the existing seven (7) continents in the world! Wow! True, I am from the Philippines and have had visited other nations in Asia as Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia etc. I have had the pleasure of being in North America, South America, Australia and Europe. Africa, then will be the sixth continent in the list. I smiled at the thought that Antartica can never find its way in my list. I let loose my ego with the thought that a sojourn to Egypt would be an added laurel leaf to the wreath of my so-called "achievements." Somehow, right after that wishful thought, my heart burst forth in praise and thanksgiving to God Who is the Source of Life and Provision and Who makes everything possible according to His purpose!

Secondly, the itinerary offered another chance to be in the place where Jesus walked, lived and died. My awesome experience in the Holy Land has kept a burning desire to visit it again and again, despite my having been there four (4) times already.

A resounding, "Let's go!" came from my friends when I informed them of the trip with the assurance that it would be a most unforgettable chapter in our lives. Hence, my "balae," Lily de Guzman and her daughter, Presy, Cousin Tina Dizon, Rick and Elvy Tan, Arnie and Sol Sedayao, Fil Pineda and Nitay Caballes made their bookings, too.

The itinerary showed the trip to Israel first before proceeding to Egypt and Jordan. But a reversal of the scheduled itinerary was issued by Adriatic Tours several days before our departure date. We knew that there must be a reason for the change which anyway, did not cause any disappointment since my friends were all "first-timers." It did not bother me a bit at all, too.

The Lufthansa flight from the San Francisco International airport to Stuggart, Germany and thence to Cairo was a tremendously long one. It took fourteen (14) hours! Whew! You can just imagine the weary-laden group of "globetrotters" entering the plush hotel in Cairo, the name of which I have forgotten already.

Upon stepping into my room, I immediately went to the window and my eyes gazed at the Great Pyramids of Giza against the dusk of twilight. It was uplifting! The towering three pyramids stood elegant and statuesque like the nobles in the court of the Pharoah. I remembered the film, "Cleopatra," with Elizabeth Taylor ravishing in her bejewelled Egyptian attire. Then looking down on the streets below, I saw the inescapable sights and sounds of a modern metropolis- the speeding cars, taxis and buses, the neon lights of a myriad colors in the many establishments for the satisfaction of hunger and human pleasure of every kind and a crowd of denizens of distinguisable and otherwise cultural backgrounds. It was invigorating to feel privileged living in today's world! Or is it?

The walk to the pyramids on uneven ground, rocks and sand required strong legs and comfortable shoes. I thanked the Lord for my overall stamina at seventy-five (75) especially my lower limbs which were still carrying me through with reasonable ease. I realized more fully the need to explore exotic and strange places more when one is still strong enough to withstand the rigors of travel. I resolved to encourage my relatives and friends to "see the world" while the usual discomfort of age has not yet set in. I realized, too, that life can really play tricks on the human psyche - while still young, the desire to travel is sharply keen but the needed funds are not available and when one grows much older, the money for adventurous trips around the globe is on hand but the elderly bodies besieged with many aches and pain hinder the fulfillment of lifelong dreams. Ah, the mystery of life!

I stood a few yards away from the tallest pyramid which is the tomb of the beloved Pharaoh Cheops completely awed by the majestiy of its height and perfect symmetry and the symbol it represents as steps to the heavens of eternal life. Belief of the afterworld was outstandingly upheld by the ancient Egyptians. I felt a kindred spirit with them since my Catholic faith teaches that we are transients in this world and that our true home is in heaven where we will spend eternity with God. And that how we spend our life on earth- the use of our time, talent and treasure presupposses where our eternity will be, Up or Down!

Standing under the watchful eyes of "The Sphinx, " the enormous head of a man (possibly a pharaoh because of the headdgear) and the body of a lion, I wondered what thoughts ran within his mind. Several questions ran into my mind, too. Is he to guard the pyramids from thieves or marauders of the vast treasures buried with the mummified bodies of the pharaohs? Or is he the reception commitee of one to welcome the hundreds of thousands tourists who come from all over the worlld to marvel at the monuments of a long-lost civilization? I remembered that Fil and I with some members of the group enjoyed the "Lights and Sounds Show " right at "The Sphinx" one cool night in Cairo. The experience was fitting for my book of memories!

The Egypt Museum in Cairo is a repository of artifacts and extremely interesting things associated with the past. Tutankkamen, the revered Boy-Pharaoh lies in his exquisitely ornate sarcophagus amidst the splendor befitting a king in the museum. An ancient chariot used in those times stands in a corner so inviting that for a moment I felt like climbing up to it, stand royally erect (like a king) and acknowledge the "salute" to a monarch by his loyal subjects. Oh, by the way, did they salute with arms held up high ala- Heil Hitler style or bow their heads with arms criss-crossed against their breasts?

The moonlight boat ride along the River Nile was a most exhilarating experience for me simply because of the beauty and mystic charm of the longest river in the world in the books and articles I have read. The significant role that the river plays in the lives of Egyptians of a thousand generations also engendered my healthy respect for this renown body of water. The dinner served with the soup of lentils and native delicacies suited my taste but the the "belly dancing" that followed somehow affected my innate senses negatively. Somehow, my reaction to the dance must have been due to the information that the dancers who looked like real women were actually "gays." To make matters worse, my antagonistic synergy must have been felt by one of the dancers who kept taunting me directly with exaggerated bodily gyrations while I looked elsewhere. I tried my best to accept the "unfitting" finale of the boat ride as part of the scheme of things. Acceptance of everything one encounters, makes for living less stressful lives.

The visits to the Papyrus Institue was an eye-opener to the intricacies of making paper from the large cactus-like papyrus plant with spindle-sized thorns all over it. The carpet factory afforded some insights to the making of the lovely-spun floor coverings which usually takes months in the making. Even very young girls were adept in twirling the tightly woven threads in the loom. The tiered pyramid of Sakkara considered the oldest of all pyramids in the world was also remarkable.

Our Cairo spiritual tour began in the oldest part of the city. A decade or so ago, the exact date, I failed to note, our Blessed Virgin appeared on top of the Coptic Church. In her apparitions to thousands of people professing God as Jesus or Allah, She made herself visible not for minutes only but for many hours. Against the starlit sky, She manifested herself in radiant beauty the likes of which have never been witnessed before by the spectators who freely spoke of it. Many people including known personalities in politics and the professions attested to witnessing the phenomenon to international media. It was noteworthy that most of these witnesses were Muslims! Inside the Catholic Church, is a large magnificent icon of Our Blessed Mother as She appeared then.

Among the souvenirs I brought home from Egypt was a small plastic bag of real estate - the sand of Sahara Desert. I felt the sand would somehow enliven my sharing of the trip to the Land of the Pharaohs with my children and grandchildren. I wanted to immortalize the memory of the Great Pyramids of Giza among them so that they may be inspired to visit Egypt, after a journey to the Holy Land, of course, in their lifetime. I wanted them to feel the tiny bits of cream-colored sand of the desert - Mother Earth in the vast expanse of arid sand dunes in Africa. I remembered feeling the warm tingly sensation as I dipped handfuls of sand and letting them slowly drip through my fingers. Looking at the heap of sand on my hands somehow etched the mirage of a priceless trophy and its accompanying thrill mesmerizing every nerve in my body - the conquest of the "sixth" continent!

Truly, my rendezvous with Egypt was a " time to remember. "