Friday, October 21, 2011

A Day in October

Oct 12, 2011
The Visit

October morn dawns a saga
of relatives from Canada.

From far away they came.

Do you recall when you mention
that you were looking for us;
that you have no information
but finally, you found us.

And you came with your smile
sweet as young coconut's water;
your laughter could be heard a mile
to comfort souls that suffer.

Pictures stream down memory lanes:
Zamboanga, Cebu, Manila, airplanes.

The tears, the laughter,
the song of the birds,
the rain, the thunder.

You saw us on our visit
and your yearning keeps
burning on love's undying ember.

Your persistence carried you
through uncharted terrain
of Germany, the Middle East,
London, Canada, and America.

Your precious physical presence,
was more than gold, and valuable
as life itself.

You came with your sister's family
and was gladly welcome in the house
that wholeheartedly awaited
your coming.

Did you remember, dear relatives,
of our first meeting in town?
The soil felt our feet so active;

the summer of smiles and the frown,
the laughter, the tears and we lived
to love all that was around.


And you came with all your heart,
with all your hugs,

with all your dreams,
with all your hopes,
with all your pains.

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.
The leaves fell. And as they dropped
to the ground, our names were written on them

because we liked the trees,
we loved mother nature's garden
whose flowers filled our lives
with their beauty and fragrance.

Yes, dear relatives, you are roses,
giving our lives with joy and kisses.

(Dedicated to Babylane Rueles & Son, her sister Rosseni & husband Dan Tiongson and her daughter, Monica & husband Percy Madella with son Dj & daughter on their surprise visit to the windy city)

Sunday, October 09, 2011

The Invitation

Sunday, Oct 9, 2011
1st Reading: Is 25:6-10a, @nd Reading: Phil 4:12-14, 19-20
Gospel: Mt 22:1-14 (or Mt 22:1-10)

All are invited ...

The everlasting love of God is a delight for the soul that abides in His presence. Indeed, all are invited to live and partake of His endless bounty to cherish eternal peace that flows from the Almighty. Although the invitation is open for all, a free response is paramount to enter God's Kingdom. Therefore, a joyful soul sings aloud, "It is better for me to be in the Lord's Court for one day than to live a thousand years elsewhere." Are you ready to respond to the call of God?

The empirical experience tells us that because of our ego and pride, not many desire to live in the Court of the Lord. During the time of the prophet Isaiah, people had abandoned the invitation of the Lord and chose to dwell elsewhere. Subsequently, their lives turned pathetic and wretched, hope dwindled, and sorrow engulfed them. At such a juncture, prophet Isaiah reminds them of the invitation of the Lord for a sumptuous banquet on the mountain of the Lord.

Leaving God out of public life has crumbled our institutions. Such a stance, in time, has vitiated the atmosphere to affecting the private lives of the individuals to live in godliness. More and more people choose to dwell elsewhere than to live in the Court of the Lord. It is a tragedy and a poison for our soul. Presently the society is reaping the fruits of alienation, segregation, depression, abortion, violence, hunger, mistrust, hopelessness, and all the evils that have infected our lives.

The celebration of the Eucharist is the remedy for our soul. God became food to satisfy our hunger and thirst. Therefore, there is no other source better than the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ - the celebration of the Eucharist with the faith community, to fill our lives with love, peace, and eternal healing from our Creator. It is imperative for the disciples of Jesus to pay heed to the invitation of the Lord. We have to come before the banquet table of the Lord with thanksgiving and faith as one of Christ. There is no substitute for the celebration.

All are invited... but only a few have responded. What can I do to invite my family, friends, and neighbors? God wants us to be His voice, as prophet Isaiah became His voice to the people of Israel. Let us dress well for the celebration, to enter into the halls of God's Kingdom with mercy and forgiveness, love, faith and hope.

(by:Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx )

Endearment

Beloved

If you part from me my sweet love
and you'll travel another path
I'll be but a misguided dove;
you'll be eating the grapes of wrath.

If you will run away from me
like a rose you'll wither and die;
stay with me to whatever be,
and you'll have no reason to cry.

The minutes and the hours are sweet;
the moon and the stars above are lit;
our sorrows are our joy to greet

the beauty of our blessed life
that lead to the river of grit
in this our world without the strife.


The Ponderable of Life (No Other But You)

The Ponderable of Life

Together we will walk in stride 
amidst the din and drabness of life.     

Come with knives of hatred.
Come with the coldness of the snow.
Come with your nagging in tow.
Come with complaints between
your forehead and your toe.

Come like a summer dawn
to greet the day to sing
the hopes and  dreams that the morrow
with happiness may bring.

Send them all:
   your concerns,
     your regrets,
        your sorrows,
I'll be there for you.
with my undying love.

We are engaged on a life's journey;
we are always one
I, the link, you: the missing link.
We shall always be: you and I
on this planet where we live and die.

Life is a bitter melon
and a sweet onion
It is sunshine and rain
It is laughter and pain.
 
Here's a gift ribboned with gratefulness.

(An ode penned for Evangeline Rueles Caermare Trabanca's
birthday - the 3rd day of March.)

Commentary: 
"I can't compete with those words! Your eloquence in writing, Uncle Greg, is beyond... Your poetic prowess is admirable." ( Luvis Adaza Barja - Lim)







Thursday, October 06, 2011

The Question?

Sons' Query?

As kids, you may ask a question
On the lovely place, we came from
You may seek for information
Of Paradise's Eve and Adam.

Across the ocean, we told you
Where quails and mayas were happy;
And we were free to hope, to dream
On the land of milk and honey.

From San Pedro's Davao city;
The nights had no shadow of male,
She burned midnight candles to stay,
To be a Florence Nightingale.

That's how we came into this world
Across the rough sea of the bold

Where he trekked from town to city
From courses to ending a course
Learning the truth and the beauty
Seeking the great Almighty Source.


That's how we came into this place
Where not even time can efface.

From tears of the tropical rain
And from Mindanao's fertile soil
Where hopes and dreams were not in vain
Where our courage to journey boil

Towards the two of us
From the wonderful love
That has united us
That in you our hearts throb
What you'll say to us both
You knew more of the world you sought
About the world to you we brought.

And like an earthquake
We shook the earth
That gave you birth
Where the tree of life appears
And you sing the poem of love
In the highest branch without fears
We fly to reach you like a dove.


The Missionary from Goa

The Missionary from Goa

You have left when she needed you.
You have wounded her and hurt her.
But open your eyes to earth's view;
Your service to God forever.

You finally face each other
In the Bread and Wine you have found;
No one can put you asunder
Of your love, so sweet, so profound.

You held on to your dear promise
Etched in the smithy of your being
In your world, the sun will surely rise
To make boys: men of God keep burning.

Someday you will come back to her-
The native land that nurtured you
To weave your story fair and square
For faith, hope, love, and charity to grow.

(By Greg In Trabanca, a parishioner of St. Timothy Church.)
The last Eucharistic celebration at St. Timothy church was presided by Bishop Mark Bartosic with Fr. Jose' Baptista, s.f.x. at 11 a.m. on Jan 31, 2021.  St. Timothy church and St. Henry church merged with St. Margaret Mary which is now the Holy Child Jesus Parish. The Pastoral Staff: Fr. Phi H. Nguyen, pastor, Fr. Arthur Bautista, associate pastor. Meanwhile, Fr Jose' Baptista,s.f.x. is awaiting his assignment.  

Sunday, October 02, 2011

What Do I Reap

What do I reap? Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx
1st Reading: Is 5:1-7, 2nd Reading: Phil 4: 6-9
Gospel: Mt 21:33-43

What do I reap? A vital question to ponder and to be answered several times during our life journey, which will give a focus for a life well-lived. Deviation from a purposeful life bears the repercussion of a bitter outcome that creates ripple effects in society. Therefore, we have to ask ourselves, what is the goal for my life? What legacy would I like to leave behind for the benefit of posterity? Each person has something to offer to make this world a better place. Am I doing my part?

If we take a serious glance at the world, we are baffled with reality. It seems evil has the upper hand, and the world is headed in the wrong direction. Hence, we should ask a question. Where have we missed the calling? The precious life not respected, the family unit is threatened, and trust betrayed, justice trampled, love, mocked upon, and mercy and forgiveness is devalued. With such a scenario of the world, what do we reap? On the other hand, what have we sown, to reap?

Despite a gloomy picture of the world, there is a ray of hope and a brighter future. Ultimately, God is in control of the whole universe, and in His time, purification will take place. Meantime, He has assigned the task to His chosen people to light up the world with faithfulness and righteousness, This group of people is a tiny minority, and their task is enormous. The Israelites were called to live in faithfulness to God and live a righteous life by observing His commandments, and benevolence towards the most vulnerable in the society. The Lord complains, "Why do I reap the bitter grapes from my vineyard?"

Today, the Catholic Church is the new Israel. The new people of God have been entrusted with the same task but greater responsibility. The fulfillment of God's promise to the world was unfolded in the death and resurrection of Jesus, His Son. The Church bears witness to this great mystery of our faith. This mystery encompasses the totality of our existence, in which, faithfulness and righteousness, should lead to the life of charity. The Catholic Church is a tiny minority, which continues to be a voice of conscience to the world that devalues the laws of God.

What do I reap? Indeed, those who live the life of God in the Church will certainly bear good fruits of faith, hope, and charity. However, those who live on their own account, and continue to support anti-Church policies, disrespect for life from conception to natural death devalue the marriage as a sacrament between a man and a woman, will also fail to live a life of charity. What kind of grapes will you reap?

Living is Difficult

Obedience ... to God
( Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx )

9/25/11 1st Reading: Ezk 18:25-28
2nd Reading: Phil 2:1-11 (or Phil 2:1-5)

Living is difficult. However, living under obedience is extremely difficult. Only those who can perceive things through the eyes of faith and discern the will of God in every circumstance are able to conduct their lives in obedience. Such living demands great courage, humility, and faith. For most people, it is a struggle to live a life of obedience because of the ego, pride, and selfishness. The resulting disobedience in many cases comes about because those who hold the office of authority abuse their power for similar reasons.

Obedience to God should have been the most natural outcome of our existence. Nevertheless, it is not the case. Why? Is God unjust? could it be that He exercises His authority with partiality and selfish motive? Such an assumption is far from reality. Our disobedience is the direct outcome of our sin of pride and selfishness. The human soul is overshadowed with false hopes and endless possibilities, which causes us to disobey the righteous one.

To end the blame game, Jesus the eternal Son of God, took our form in total obedience to God and even accepted a gruesome death on the cross. Such living baffles the human mind but it is also the cause of our true living. In fact, the command for a life lived in obedience is, "Take up your cross daily and follow me." Should we decide to follow the Lord, we cannot ignore His way of life and at the same time live by His command.

The degradation of the moral fiber of society is the effect of people living directly in contrast to the will of God. The growing number of abortions, same-sex marriages is an abomination that reflects the sick society, which prides itself on opposing the will of God. We, the disciples of Jesus, should awaken from our slumber, and seek to do the will of God in total obedience, which is the true wisdom and fullness of life.

**************************************************************************8
Lectio
* He humbled himself by being obedient to death, death on the cross.
Meditatio
* We are witnesses to the tremendous love of God in Jesus. We have to witness His humility, sacrifice, and total self-giving to others as well.
Oratio
* Let us contemplate the cross - the ultimate sign of God's loving sacrifice.
Actio
* We witness to the cross of Christ if we choose the lowest post or to make a meaningful sacrifice.