The Surprise Party at Little Quiapo....
10.23.08
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A Tale of Two Classmates ( Or a Profile of a Man as a Classmate)
" A good friend has a place in your life, he honors you, respects you, and never deserts you at the approach of danger."
One autumnal night as I punched the desktop computer keys,( was learning how to use a computer) I was unconsciously led to a website that paved the way to my high school Alma Mater's Alumni Association - Ateneo de Zamboanga. And to my great surprise, I saw the email - rogermijares_51@yahoo.com. Our Class' 57 valedictorian is Manuel Mijares. Why Roger? I thought for a second, Did Manuel change his name or this is only his email address.
" A good friend has a place in your life, he honors you, respects you, and never deserts you at the approach of danger."
One autumnal night as I punched the desktop computer keys,( was learning how to use a computer) I was unconsciously led to a website that paved the way to my high school Alma Mater's Alumni Association - Ateneo de Zamboanga. And to my great surprise, I saw the email - rogermijares_51@yahoo.com. Our Class' 57 valedictorian is Manuel Mijares. Why Roger? I thought for a second, Did Manuel change his name or this is only his email address.
Excitement enveloped my being. High school days are here. Wonderful memories inundated my psyche'. Still fresh, the struggles of city life in a different environment away from home. It's sheer work and study from Tetuan on a bicycle, slicing the road on a sunny or rainy day to the city where Ateneo de Zamboanga was located.
Anyway, I did email him recalling our high school nights. We were on last night high school of the Ateneo de Zamboanga.
And what do you know! He responded through his son who is a bigshot, a retired colonel. Roger Mijares, that is.
The Colonel responded:
Sir Greg,
I am Colonel Roger V. Mijares PA (Ret) the eldest son of your classmate, Manuel Mijares. I registered his name in the OAR ADZU for your Golden Jubilee last December 2007, thus my e-mail address.
Papang is staying with me now. He retired from the government service (DTI) some time ago and celebrated his 82nd birthday last March 18 this year. Mamang is also with me.
And what do you know! He responded through his son who is a bigshot, a retired colonel. Roger Mijares, that is.
The Colonel responded:
Sir Greg,
I am Colonel Roger V. Mijares PA (Ret) the eldest son of your classmate, Manuel Mijares. I registered his name in the OAR ADZU for your Golden Jubilee last December 2007, thus my e-mail address.
Papang is staying with me now. He retired from the government service (DTI) some time ago and celebrated his 82nd birthday last March 18 this year. Mamang is also with me.
He is okay, but have some difficulty in walking due to his arthritis.
Thanks so much for remembering him... I'll inform him tomorrow about your email (it's 11:27 pm now). He's already asleep.
Were you able to attend your Golden Jubilee Homecoming? Are you staying in the Philippines or abroad Sir?
Attached are some pictures of Papang.
Roger. (Thu 16 Oct 2008 11:am)
*****************************
( Sat Oct 18, 2008, 2:14 PM) I replied.
******************
Then Roger emailed back:
Sir Greg,
Greetings from the Mijares Family here in Zamboanga City!
Family breakfast time this morning was filled with excitement for Papang as I informed him of the email you sent him. His face was full of smiles as I mentioned your name to him..."Yes!"He said, "I still remember him!... he was my classmate in the last night high school of Ateneo de Zamboanga...and was our class Salutatorian. He is a very intelligent person..."Further, he said, "Please tell him I am thankful for remembering me by sending an email..."
"As regards to the family, tell him that God is so good to me and my family...for giving me a loving wife Andrea, a retired public high school teacher now; seven (7) wonderful children: Roger - a retired Army colonel, Teresa- a School Nurse at Ateneo de Zamboanga University High School Dept., Bernadette - Chief Nurse in one of the Hospitals in Antipolo City, Rizal, Manuel Jr - a Civil & Geodetic Engineer connected with DPWH Region IX, Jorge - an Insurance Agent, Eliza - a Registered Nurse and Miriam - an Optometrist.
Tonight after dinner (after checking my incoming emails...) I again informed Papang of your latest email. The more he got excited, and immediately answered your queries...He said- "So, he is residing in the US... how nice...Ask him, what was his occupation and where he was working when he retired in 1974 ..."
"As far as I know, the following classmates have already gone with the Lord - Ricardo Rivero, Emerito Reyes & Gumersindo Mendoza...During our Golden Jubilee - only three (3) of us were able to attend, namely: Antonio Lacastesantos, Artemio Santiago and me..."
Lastly, please also inform me that I'm staying with you here in Zone 3, San Roque, Zamboanga City and thank him for including our family in his prayers."
Thanks for the email to Papang.
Roger (Sat 18 Oct 2008 7:24 am)
*******************************
The Tale of Two Classmates
From the Windy City (Chicago) 12:56 am Monday of 2008
Dear Classmate,
I missed the golden Jubilee Homecoming in 2007. And I am far from the Philippines' shore.
(I was an educator in the Philippines before I came to the States in 1974 as an immigrant. In America, I worked as a stockman, Clerk, Assistant Rate Clerk, Assistant Traffic Clerk, Transportation, and Traffic Analyst at J. T. Ryerson Steel Co. I am also an Insurance Broker. I retired four years ago but still actively working as an insurance salesman and busy with the world of the Internet).
After our graduation at the Ateneo de Zamboanga, I went to pursue my studies at the Zamboanga School of Arts & Trades to take up Drafting but it was short-lived. I meandered for a while savoring the tempting sweet city, teen life. Then I took a summer job at the harbor pilot tug boat through the recommendation of Capt. Cervero, a master pilot of the Zamboanga Pilot Association, responsible for docking foreign ships at Zamboanga City pier.
With that earned money, I ventured to Mountain View College, a vegetarian Seventh-Day Adventist School in Bukidnon, the summer capital of the Philippines. I learned lots of things during my one year of stay at that College - 15 kilometers away from the highway. It was a meatless year; no worldly music. Instead, I heard songs of brooks and streams. There was tranquility; there was a religion whose day of rest was Saturday. This college was financed by the U.S. dollar.
Mountain View College was nestled in vast hectares of farmland dotted by sugarcanes, potatoes, pineapples, corn, rice, soya beans, and green leafy vegetables. The vast tract of land owned by the College consisted of plains and valleys surrounded by streams and creeks. It has a hydroelectric plant that generated electricity and at night the College campus appeared to be a city in the wilderness. The male students were housed in the Boys Dorm while the female students at the Girls Dorm. Rules and regulations were to be observed strictly on - no smoking, no drinking, no meat. Once a student is caught breaking rules, he/she is sent home. Half-day is work; the other half is for studies. I stayed for only a year.
Homeward bound.
Home beckoned me only to be persuaded by our town priest to see the Bishop of Zamboanga City (during the Boys' Scout World Jamboree in Pasonanca) so I could study at the Jesuit-run San Jose' Seminary in Highway 54 now called EDSA to take up priesthood. Three of us were supposed to go but only two succeeded.
Thanks so much for remembering him... I'll inform him tomorrow about your email (it's 11:27 pm now). He's already asleep.
Were you able to attend your Golden Jubilee Homecoming? Are you staying in the Philippines or abroad Sir?
Attached are some pictures of Papang.
Roger. (Thu 16 Oct 2008 11:am)
*****************************
( Sat Oct 18, 2008, 2:14 PM) I replied.
******************
Then Roger emailed back:
Sir Greg,
Greetings from the Mijares Family here in Zamboanga City!
Family breakfast time this morning was filled with excitement for Papang as I informed him of the email you sent him. His face was full of smiles as I mentioned your name to him..."Yes!"He said, "I still remember him!... he was my classmate in the last night high school of Ateneo de Zamboanga...and was our class Salutatorian. He is a very intelligent person..."Further, he said, "Please tell him I am thankful for remembering me by sending an email..."
"As regards to the family, tell him that God is so good to me and my family...for giving me a loving wife Andrea, a retired public high school teacher now; seven (7) wonderful children: Roger - a retired Army colonel, Teresa- a School Nurse at Ateneo de Zamboanga University High School Dept., Bernadette - Chief Nurse in one of the Hospitals in Antipolo City, Rizal, Manuel Jr - a Civil & Geodetic Engineer connected with DPWH Region IX, Jorge - an Insurance Agent, Eliza - a Registered Nurse and Miriam - an Optometrist.
Tonight after dinner (after checking my incoming emails...) I again informed Papang of your latest email. The more he got excited, and immediately answered your queries...He said- "So, he is residing in the US... how nice...Ask him, what was his occupation and where he was working when he retired in 1974 ..."
"As far as I know, the following classmates have already gone with the Lord - Ricardo Rivero, Emerito Reyes & Gumersindo Mendoza...During our Golden Jubilee - only three (3) of us were able to attend, namely: Antonio Lacastesantos, Artemio Santiago and me..."
Lastly, please also inform me that I'm staying with you here in Zone 3, San Roque, Zamboanga City and thank him for including our family in his prayers."
Thanks for the email to Papang.
Roger (Sat 18 Oct 2008 7:24 am)
*******************************
The Tale of Two Classmates
From the Windy City (Chicago) 12:56 am Monday of 2008
Dear Classmate,
I missed the golden Jubilee Homecoming in 2007. And I am far from the Philippines' shore.
(I was an educator in the Philippines before I came to the States in 1974 as an immigrant. In America, I worked as a stockman, Clerk, Assistant Rate Clerk, Assistant Traffic Clerk, Transportation, and Traffic Analyst at J. T. Ryerson Steel Co. I am also an Insurance Broker. I retired four years ago but still actively working as an insurance salesman and busy with the world of the Internet).
After our graduation at the Ateneo de Zamboanga, I went to pursue my studies at the Zamboanga School of Arts & Trades to take up Drafting but it was short-lived. I meandered for a while savoring the tempting sweet city, teen life. Then I took a summer job at the harbor pilot tug boat through the recommendation of Capt. Cervero, a master pilot of the Zamboanga Pilot Association, responsible for docking foreign ships at Zamboanga City pier.
With that earned money, I ventured to Mountain View College, a vegetarian Seventh-Day Adventist School in Bukidnon, the summer capital of the Philippines. I learned lots of things during my one year of stay at that College - 15 kilometers away from the highway. It was a meatless year; no worldly music. Instead, I heard songs of brooks and streams. There was tranquility; there was a religion whose day of rest was Saturday. This college was financed by the U.S. dollar.
Mountain View College was nestled in vast hectares of farmland dotted by sugarcanes, potatoes, pineapples, corn, rice, soya beans, and green leafy vegetables. The vast tract of land owned by the College consisted of plains and valleys surrounded by streams and creeks. It has a hydroelectric plant that generated electricity and at night the College campus appeared to be a city in the wilderness. The male students were housed in the Boys Dorm while the female students at the Girls Dorm. Rules and regulations were to be observed strictly on - no smoking, no drinking, no meat. Once a student is caught breaking rules, he/she is sent home. Half-day is work; the other half is for studies. I stayed for only a year.
Homeward bound.
Home beckoned me only to be persuaded by our town priest to see the Bishop of Zamboanga City (during the Boys' Scout World Jamboree in Pasonanca) so I could study at the Jesuit-run San Jose' Seminary in Highway 54 now called EDSA to take up priesthood. Three of us were supposed to go but only two succeeded.
Off we went, not on a plane but on a slow boat to Manila. And we were excited to be met by a Jesuit priest driving a jeep at the Manila pier. We were assigned each a guardian angel- a seminarian who will guide and help answer questions as we were neophytes, so to speak.
I was amazed that after a few days and some examinations I was assigned to a higher English Class while my companion was on English 101.
I learned that these seminarians were devoid of carefree outside teen-age adventures. After dinner, there was a 30- minute break where we met other minor seminarians to chat on any topics under the moon and the stars.
These minor seminarians were totally innocent of the rough and tumble world of the restless, the fearless, and the innocent. I dished out stories of courtships, of serenading, of school dances, of childish pranks and mischiefs like stealing a chicken, sugarcane, mangoes which are a no-no nowadays. They were saintly innocent. I told them that the real outside world is fraught with temptations as the snake of Eden lurks in every corner waiting and wishing. They loved my take.
These minor seminarians yearned for my presence after dinner to listen to my often exaggerated stories of fun, frolics, escapades, and spur of the moment tales.
However, the Seminary was not appealing to me. I went calmly outside amidst the glory and promise of a further study in Rome. I remembered that opportunities loomed on the horizon of the daring, the gutsy, the persevering, the dreamer. I squarely faced the world of reality.
The itch
There was that longing to come home. It was still the best place even though how humble. I learned to love the soil. I became a farmer but the horizon was limited. Some of my afternoons after a farming break were spent with farmer neighbors playing volleyball and other times hanging with friends, playing basketball, and enjoying the locals' favorite drink the "tuba'". That was comparable to beer and cheaper.
Back to the classroom
Meanwhile, I moved on to blaze the trail of trials and thrills. I went back to the classrooms and this time to drink the aged wine of education. I studied at Zamboanga AE Colleges, befriended announcers, writers, the learned, and lovers of life. They were: radio announcers - Abe Sappal (Carl Dumas over the radio), Romy Enriquez, writers - Cesar Aquino, Rommel Corro, Barjamin Jubaira (son of Ibrahim Jubaira, a classmate of Emmanuel Pelaez, who made him a Philippine attache' in Kuala Lumpur and the first Filipino short story writer to be known outside the country and the Philippines' Free Press short story awardee), professors Atty. Romulo Plagata, Mr. Amora, Zoology teacher, and Mr. Labad, Air ROTC instructor. My weekends were spent with them. who were both from Marawi, Lanao. with their favorite kinilaw of rare tuna and cases of soft drinks Coke or Pepsi. We don't go for hard drinks and I loved it. Mr. Amora was a UST graduate. With them, I learned that I am also a child of this world and I have the right to occupy a space on the planet earth.
A Literary Editor
At ZAEC's school paper, I was delighted to be a Literary Editor when I wrote a short, short story titled the Valley called Kipit and a free verse poem about a teenager's life. I was sort of academically active during my college years but I don't belong to any Student Activist Group. I am the son of a humble hamlet farmer, the reason why I abstained myself from being connected with these so-called elite students.
Editor-in-Chief of Andres Bonifacio College., Dipolog City
Satisfaction was foreign to my young psyche'. I transferred to Dipolog, the city of Orchids. A luminous star always followed me even in my darkest hours. Its glow directed me out of harm's way. I sat on the chair of an Editor-in-Chief of the Andres Bonifacio College paper after a series of examinations. My school obligations were spared.
Debater and Student Council President
With that experience, I went back to the City of Flowers- Zamboanga city. Once more the Flower of Talent bloomed; its sweetness wafted and permeated the air of La Hermosa, Preciosa Ciudad. I found myself cornered in the College of Education where we won a debating contest against the College of Law which was a first in the history of the College of Education. Usually' it was the College of Law who dominated the intercollegiate debating world. I was also the president of the Summer Class Student Council, the very reason why Mr. Rodolfo Canivel, the director of Philippine Muslim College, Jolo, Sulu offered me to teach in both high school and college. He even asked me to bring teachers to teach the National Language, English Grammer and Literature, History, ( 2 ) Math, Science, and a Bandmaster. I opted to teach English Literature in High School and English in College.
Beyond Expectation
Finally, with the transfers and taking of different courses, I have enough units to complete a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in History and a minor in English at Zamboanga AE College.( Courses taken were: AB, Commerce, BSEEd, BSE). These were beyond my wildest expectation.
The Test
Finally, after so many road tests and road maps, I was back in the classrooms. This time it was no longer to listen and take notes but to give exams and dish out words of wisdom. And this ushered me to the cities of Jolo, Basilan, and Dipolog.
The Result
I taught English and Literature at the Philippine Muslim College, Jolo, Sulu. I was an adviser of the Schoolpaper for one year. Basilan City's Claret College of Isabela accepted me to teach English and as an adviser of the Schoolpaper when Ulbert Ulama "Bob" Tugung took the bar exam in Manila. I grasped the opportunity. Bob Tugung, an intelligent person, became a very good friend, almost a brother to me. Those were happy days in Isabela. We were with the press and he taught me the rudiments of writing and the principles of how to win friends and influence people. I have a column in the Basilan Times. Bob Tugung earned an honorable position after the Martial Law and also met his untimely demise. ( I read about it when I was abroad.) My prayer and respect to Bob.
Then the RVM director of Ferrer High School in Labason, ZN convinced me to share my God-given talent with the school. I have a two-year teaching stint with that school. The next move was with the Dipolog School of Fisheries, Dipolog City until the wind of change swept the Philippines after the Martial Law in September of 1972. The die is cast. I have no option but to migrate to America in 1974, through the courtesy of a district school nurse, Evangeline Rueles Caermare who answered the call of Cupid. Along this vein, I acknowledged my indebtedness of gratitude to her. She became my best half. Without her, America would only be a dream.
America is a place of many questions but has all the answers. It welcomes everybody. According to the Filipino writer, Carlos Bulosan, America is in the heart. Indeed, it is! And also, it is on how you look at it as "beauty belongs to the beholder." Dr. Wayne W. Dyer wrote, " Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change. You were intended out of love; you must be love in order to intend."
The student
I am still a student; a man with the desire to learn as Life offers so much to be learned and digested. I am happily married to a Registered Labor and Delivery Nurse and have two sons.
I was a member of the Cursillo and the Charismatic Group. Now, I am active with Church activities as a lay minister, a lector, and a 4rth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Farewell!
Goodbye my classmate, May you fare well!
Addendum: Thank you Manuel for asking. By the way, extend my regards to the host of our high school graduation party, Artemio Santiago. May God bless his family, to Antonio Lacastesantos and his family my sincere greetings. And to the rest of our classmates, if you ever hear about them or cross path with, I wish them more wonderful birthdays to come. Tell them to email or write to me as Christmas is fast approaching.You are all in our prayer My wife and I are devotees of the Mother of Perpetual Help, Santo Nino', The Black Nazarene, and the Lady of Penafrancia.)
Hail Ateneo hail, on to the fray. Once more our foes assail, in the strong array. Once more the blue and white held on high, we sing our battle cry, we do or die. March on, march on, march on to victory. March on, march on, march on with loyalty. To the fight, to the fight to win our loyal strife. Hail...
Sincerely,
Greg
Note: Manuel Mijares was our class Valedictorian and I was the Salutatorian due to lack of residency. Manuel said in the email through his son Roger, a retired army colonel. " I stll remember him. He was my classmate in the last night high school of Ateneo de Zamboanga and was our class salutatorian.. He is a very intelligent person... Please tell him, I am thankful for remembering me by sending an email."
The itch
There was that longing to come home. It was still the best place even though how humble. I learned to love the soil. I became a farmer but the horizon was limited. Some of my afternoons after a farming break were spent with farmer neighbors playing volleyball and other times hanging with friends, playing basketball, and enjoying the locals' favorite drink the "tuba'". That was comparable to beer and cheaper.
Back to the classroom
Meanwhile, I moved on to blaze the trail of trials and thrills. I went back to the classrooms and this time to drink the aged wine of education. I studied at Zamboanga AE Colleges, befriended announcers, writers, the learned, and lovers of life. They were: radio announcers - Abe Sappal (Carl Dumas over the radio), Romy Enriquez, writers - Cesar Aquino, Rommel Corro, Barjamin Jubaira (son of Ibrahim Jubaira, a classmate of Emmanuel Pelaez, who made him a Philippine attache' in Kuala Lumpur and the first Filipino short story writer to be known outside the country and the Philippines' Free Press short story awardee), professors Atty. Romulo Plagata, Mr. Amora, Zoology teacher, and Mr. Labad, Air ROTC instructor. My weekends were spent with them. who were both from Marawi, Lanao. with their favorite kinilaw of rare tuna and cases of soft drinks Coke or Pepsi. We don't go for hard drinks and I loved it. Mr. Amora was a UST graduate. With them, I learned that I am also a child of this world and I have the right to occupy a space on the planet earth.
A Literary Editor
At ZAEC's school paper, I was delighted to be a Literary Editor when I wrote a short, short story titled the Valley called Kipit and a free verse poem about a teenager's life. I was sort of academically active during my college years but I don't belong to any Student Activist Group. I am the son of a humble hamlet farmer, the reason why I abstained myself from being connected with these so-called elite students.
Editor-in-Chief of Andres Bonifacio College., Dipolog City
Satisfaction was foreign to my young psyche'. I transferred to Dipolog, the city of Orchids. A luminous star always followed me even in my darkest hours. Its glow directed me out of harm's way. I sat on the chair of an Editor-in-Chief of the Andres Bonifacio College paper after a series of examinations. My school obligations were spared.
Debater and Student Council President
With that experience, I went back to the City of Flowers- Zamboanga city. Once more the Flower of Talent bloomed; its sweetness wafted and permeated the air of La Hermosa, Preciosa Ciudad. I found myself cornered in the College of Education where we won a debating contest against the College of Law which was a first in the history of the College of Education. Usually' it was the College of Law who dominated the intercollegiate debating world. I was also the president of the Summer Class Student Council, the very reason why Mr. Rodolfo Canivel, the director of Philippine Muslim College, Jolo, Sulu offered me to teach in both high school and college. He even asked me to bring teachers to teach the National Language, English Grammer and Literature, History, ( 2 ) Math, Science, and a Bandmaster. I opted to teach English Literature in High School and English in College.
Beyond Expectation
Finally, with the transfers and taking of different courses, I have enough units to complete a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in History and a minor in English at Zamboanga AE College.( Courses taken were: AB, Commerce, BSEEd, BSE). These were beyond my wildest expectation.
The Test
Finally, after so many road tests and road maps, I was back in the classrooms. This time it was no longer to listen and take notes but to give exams and dish out words of wisdom. And this ushered me to the cities of Jolo, Basilan, and Dipolog.
The Result
I taught English and Literature at the Philippine Muslim College, Jolo, Sulu. I was an adviser of the Schoolpaper for one year. Basilan City's Claret College of Isabela accepted me to teach English and as an adviser of the Schoolpaper when Ulbert Ulama "Bob" Tugung took the bar exam in Manila. I grasped the opportunity. Bob Tugung, an intelligent person, became a very good friend, almost a brother to me. Those were happy days in Isabela. We were with the press and he taught me the rudiments of writing and the principles of how to win friends and influence people. I have a column in the Basilan Times. Bob Tugung earned an honorable position after the Martial Law and also met his untimely demise. ( I read about it when I was abroad.) My prayer and respect to Bob.
Then the RVM director of Ferrer High School in Labason, ZN convinced me to share my God-given talent with the school. I have a two-year teaching stint with that school. The next move was with the Dipolog School of Fisheries, Dipolog City until the wind of change swept the Philippines after the Martial Law in September of 1972. The die is cast. I have no option but to migrate to America in 1974, through the courtesy of a district school nurse, Evangeline Rueles Caermare who answered the call of Cupid. Along this vein, I acknowledged my indebtedness of gratitude to her. She became my best half. Without her, America would only be a dream.
America is a place of many questions but has all the answers. It welcomes everybody. According to the Filipino writer, Carlos Bulosan, America is in the heart. Indeed, it is! And also, it is on how you look at it as "beauty belongs to the beholder." Dr. Wayne W. Dyer wrote, " Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change. You were intended out of love; you must be love in order to intend."
The student
I am still a student; a man with the desire to learn as Life offers so much to be learned and digested. I am happily married to a Registered Labor and Delivery Nurse and have two sons.
I was a member of the Cursillo and the Charismatic Group. Now, I am active with Church activities as a lay minister, a lector, and a 4rth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Farewell!
Goodbye my classmate, May you fare well!
Addendum: Thank you Manuel for asking. By the way, extend my regards to the host of our high school graduation party, Artemio Santiago. May God bless his family, to Antonio Lacastesantos and his family my sincere greetings. And to the rest of our classmates, if you ever hear about them or cross path with, I wish them more wonderful birthdays to come. Tell them to email or write to me as Christmas is fast approaching.You are all in our prayer My wife and I are devotees of the Mother of Perpetual Help, Santo Nino', The Black Nazarene, and the Lady of Penafrancia.)
Hail Ateneo hail, on to the fray. Once more our foes assail, in the strong array. Once more the blue and white held on high, we sing our battle cry, we do or die. March on, march on, march on to victory. March on, march on, march on with loyalty. To the fight, to the fight to win our loyal strife. Hail...
Sincerely,
Greg
Note: Manuel Mijares was our class Valedictorian and I was the Salutatorian due to lack of residency. Manuel said in the email through his son Roger, a retired army colonel. " I stll remember him. He was my classmate in the last night high school of Ateneo de Zamboanga and was our class salutatorian.. He is a very intelligent person... Please tell him, I am thankful for remembering me by sending an email."
Sunday, October 12, 2008
10/12/08- Sunday
Promises made...
Many make promises, but only few fulfill their pledge. The evidence is crystal clear during the election year. Gullible , we fall the bite of the campaigning politicians so easily, even as we are called upon to exercise our noble duty to cast our vote. No wonder, election fever is griping the citizens, as we are taken for a ride once again with false hopes and promises for a better tomorrow. Despite betrayals, we continue to place our trust! Why?
The prophet Isaiah gives the answer, on behalf of God., to his people who were in distress. An extraordinary promise is being made to wipe out every tear from their eyes and restore their dignity with the eternal hope of salvation. Is this also going to be just another promise to be broken and to shatter their dreams? too many promises had been conked out; consequently, the confidence of the people about their future had turned bleak.
God fulfills His promise in time, in His son Jesus to restore confidence, and a glorious hope for a better tomorrow. This explains why we keep hoping for a superior future, despite continuous betrayals from our leaders. God is our ultimate refuge and anchor, in whom we trust. He makes promises and never fails to fulfill them in His time; to fill our lives with His blessings and grace.
On the holy mountain, the God of hosts will prepare a banquet, and remove the mourning veil by destroying death forever. Jesus, the Son of God and Redeemer prepared the eternal banquet on the Holy Mountain and by His own death on the cross, destroyed death itself though His Resurrection. Promise made, promise fulfilled!
At baptism, we made a promise to God to live as His loving children, with hearts filled with faith, hope and love. Have I kept my promise to God? Or like our secular leaders, have I betrayed God over and over again.We had promise Jesus to share His life with others to restore confidence and to bestow the hope of a glorious future, by our life of faith, love, charity, forgiveness, truthfulness and sacrifices,It is time we come back to our sense and live up to our promises and the call of Jesus our Savior. Promise made... promise should be fulfilled!
-Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx.
Promises made...
Many make promises, but only few fulfill their pledge. The evidence is crystal clear during the election year. Gullible , we fall the bite of the campaigning politicians so easily, even as we are called upon to exercise our noble duty to cast our vote. No wonder, election fever is griping the citizens, as we are taken for a ride once again with false hopes and promises for a better tomorrow. Despite betrayals, we continue to place our trust! Why?
The prophet Isaiah gives the answer, on behalf of God., to his people who were in distress. An extraordinary promise is being made to wipe out every tear from their eyes and restore their dignity with the eternal hope of salvation. Is this also going to be just another promise to be broken and to shatter their dreams? too many promises had been conked out; consequently, the confidence of the people about their future had turned bleak.
God fulfills His promise in time, in His son Jesus to restore confidence, and a glorious hope for a better tomorrow. This explains why we keep hoping for a superior future, despite continuous betrayals from our leaders. God is our ultimate refuge and anchor, in whom we trust. He makes promises and never fails to fulfill them in His time; to fill our lives with His blessings and grace.
On the holy mountain, the God of hosts will prepare a banquet, and remove the mourning veil by destroying death forever. Jesus, the Son of God and Redeemer prepared the eternal banquet on the Holy Mountain and by His own death on the cross, destroyed death itself though His Resurrection. Promise made, promise fulfilled!
At baptism, we made a promise to God to live as His loving children, with hearts filled with faith, hope and love. Have I kept my promise to God? Or like our secular leaders, have I betrayed God over and over again.We had promise Jesus to share His life with others to restore confidence and to bestow the hope of a glorious future, by our life of faith, love, charity, forgiveness, truthfulness and sacrifices,It is time we come back to our sense and live up to our promises and the call of Jesus our Savior. Promise made... promise should be fulfilled!
-Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx.
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