March 12, 2016 MEMORIES

                                       
                                       MEMORIES

Silently, I sat by my bedroom window
As I watched the beautiful sunset unfold
Its blend of orange, white and yellowish glow
Scattered streaks of color on clouds that rolled
Only Divine Hands can really paint
Such artistry unequalled by any saint.

My heart swelled with joy and thanksgiving
For the wonders God in abundance has given me
The breath of life and awareness of receiving
His manifold blessings in Mother Nature's sea.

Deep in my heart I have known, Oh, fully well
That I have enjoyed through all these wondrous years
The lion's share of God's mercy won't fit in a shell
Too many to mention - much more than my peers.

Born to a family closely knit with love
Woven by a mother's devotion sky-high
Accepted and cared for by siblings who rubbed
The ambition to achieve not just to get by.

I can still hear my mother's sweet advice
"Stay close to our Lord and our Blessed Mother
You will be properly directed by Christ
Focus on education and no other."

Thus stirred by a passion to explore the unknown
Went to night school though seven months on the way
Through higher education, I soared to the dome
Achieved a career money couldn't buy not even today.

My parents' burning desire for us not to falter
To have a college education for us all
A brood of eight to feed, to clothe and to shelter
Through times of deprivation, they still stood tall.

With grateful hearts, I know we kids remember
The enormous sacrifice our parents did
And now with God's help we affirm to render
The same hard work and lasting love to our seed.

"In sickness and in health till death do us part"
Papa and I proclaimed our matrimonial vows
Day before Christmas 1955 clearly marked
Our voyage began, a family to start.

A husband who pampered me in so many ways
I found myself undeserving of such praise
Though at times his concern put me in a maze
My mind could not fathom nor unravel his pace.

But through the four decades of marital tales
The "ups" far outweighed the heartaches that came
We continued our course promised not to fail
The test of time, bond of love, we vowed to tame.

Dewdrops from heaven blossomed in our midst
Bobby, Marissa, Noel and Cielo galore
They all tightened the knot, helped deepen the love
Made family life merrier, secure ever more.

Each one is a shining jewel in the family
Always a cause for joy and pride I can share
With friends and relations, to all, so easily
Strength of character and faith few can compare.

So it isn't surprising for you to know
Our Lord gave each a loving, kind, sincere mate,
Carla, Barney, Valerie and Brian saw
A partner complements life at any rate.

Seven tiny feathers from the wings of love
Dropped on the welcoming lap of parenthood
Like royalty each child came as a white dove
Fragile in form but strong to always be good.

Diana, Joshua, Christina, Michael, too
Christian, Tiffany Anne and Melanie, too
Loud "ohs" greeted them when they came
To the excitement about them, they still coo!

I used to tease our friends and relations
Papa and I were of an "endangered" kind
For in this tech age such is a flitting notion
Nowadays, to part ways, many won't even mind.

March 10, 2016 GALILEE

                               
                                            GALILEE


The Gospel today recounts the appearance of Jesus after His resurrection to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee. The all-night fishing adventure of Peter and his friends was not rewarded by a single catch. But when Jesus told them to lower their net on the right side of the boat, they caught 153 fish. Some theologians claim that the number of the fish was significant since there are 153 species of fish in the world. Hence, since Jesus said that they are to be "fishers" of men, then their catch should be universal encompassing the world.

During their breakfast, Jesus asked Peter, "Simon, do you love me?" three times. Note that Jesus used Peter's old name which represented "weakness." Because Peter's denial of Jesus - his declaration that he did not know Jesus was a manifestation of his weakness. Peter's proof of his "agape" love for Jesus restored him to his position among the disciples and more importantly, the trust and love they had for each other.

In my visits to the Holy Land, the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake) had an special appeal, an undefined hold on me. The gentle ripples of turquoise water shimmering under the noonday sun against the greenery of the Golan Heights present a picture- perfect setting! A boat-ride in a replica of the ones that ply between its shores during the first century makes the Galilee experience all the more unforgettable. And a fitting climax is the sumptuous lunch in the shoreline restaurant of its best cuisine - St. Peter's fish - the "tilapia."

Inspired by the surroundings of Galilee, I attempted to write these lines :

How beautiful you are, Oh, Galilee
The serene waters that abound in Thee
St. Peter's fish swim with their young in tow
Amidst the swaying plants so green below.

How I love to be in charming Galilee
In the place where our Lord Jesus walked with glee
Teaching His apostles, Peter, James and John
To love everyone with the love He has sown.

The trees and boulders that line your rugged shores
Heard the tales Jesus told with such awesome force
That He would lay down His life to save the world
From sins of the flesh, corruption and the sword.

That to know Him means to study His Word
Reflect on Jesus' parables we won't get bored
Instill in our minds and hearts the way of life
Willing to serve others always without strife.

Eager to help those who knock at our door
For food, for shelter, for counsel and much more
We can never fathom the power of prayer
Each time we seek God for someone else's welfare.

Oh, Galilee, how you marvelously display
Mother Nature in kaleidoscopic display
The changing colors as the seasons roll by
Complement the fragrance of the breeze coming nigh

A chosen place you are, Oh, Galilee
From time immemorial to eternity
Oh, Lord, in your mercy and love let me be
In the bosom of your heart, your own Galilee!

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