LIfe's Candid Snapshots

In the Face of Death

SURIGAO MEMORIAL CHAPEL

How do you see yourself ten years from now? What state of life would you take? What makes you busy this day? What are your plans for this week? Where would you spend your vacation? These are some silly and insignificant questions that seemed so ordinary every now and then. Human being is gifted with the knowledge to understand, prepare and inquire curiously what is to happen in the future. If we examine keenly on the above questions, it is somehow an expression of man’s projection of what is to come, a way of careful anticipation of the future. We treasure the past, we cherish the present but we also get overwhelm thinking and preparing for our future. I do not see any problem with this since even other forms of lower creatures instinctively prepares for what is to come. But I came to think of it, if many people untiringly prepares for the future, are they also preparing for their own death? Let me pose this simple question, Have we ever stopped and pondered for a while and ask ourselves, Am I prepared when death suddenly struck my way? What would be my initial reaction? This may sound so strange to talk about this horrifying moment of human existence, but we have no means of escape with this inevitable reality yet sometimes ignored by many. We seldom have the tendency to deny such aspect of life and surely a reality that is universally unappreciated. This month of November is very much apt to reflect on this painful reality of eternal separation.

What is death? In simple term, it is an irreversible cessation of life and the loss of its essential characteristics. Death occurs at several levels and appears in different faces in the same way that life can be lived in many stances. Indeed, life goes with a series of stages. Clearly, medical science can explain the transition of how a person losses life until it finally goes into decomposition. It is somehow an ordinary biological process such digestion, respiration and so on. If this is a normal thing, then why people fear about facing death? Sounds rhetorical, right? We may have many answers to such questions but I guess, we basically afraid of death because we still do not know what exactly lies beyond the darkness, of that dreadful unknown realm. We normally feel great fear facing death but, it is not so much on the temporal aspect, of what we have acquired over the years but we are more concern on searching for the meaning of our own death. We tend to rationalize things yet it seems that we are incapable of thinking. We somehow lost our sanity trying to focus on something that is nowhere to be found. Eventually we end up feeling helpless, lonely and even coward. Persons, money, power and material possessions that are regarded as something valuable in life seemed to lose its importance. Indeed, everything becomes insignificant when man starts to face his greatest enemy.

SURIGAO MEMORIAL PARK

In the biblical perspective, death is basically consequence of the fall of the first parents yet if we try to examine closely it could also be a blessing from God. It is a gateway towards eternity. Imagine living forever as a sinner, with no possibility of redemption and permanent transformation. Thus, God, in His omniscient nature, prevented Adam and Eve from eternal sinfulness by giving them the gift of death, the ability to gracefully exit this life and arrive safely in the wondrous life to come. Death, though it would appear to be man’s greatest enemy, would in the end, prove to be his greatest friend. It is only through death that we will experience “birth” into a world of transcendental and eventually sees God face to face. In our Christian faith, Jesus Christ conquered the power of death by His own resurrection and therefore we should not be frightened when we are threatened with such reality because, we too, can experience resurrection in the fullness of time. It is significantly important to note that the process of dying is seemingly similar to the process of birthing. The dying person, very often, demonstrates similar breathing patterns as the expectant mother who is undergoing labor contractions. As death approaches, the dying person's breathing becomes more labored and the fear of the unknown becomes more prominent. The expectant mother is taught breathing rhythms and mental exercises to easy the birthing process. Similar breathing and mental exercises can be taught to the dying person to ease the dying process.

The ability to face the reality of death and its impact on our life and each other's lives and the ability to discuss our fears, anticipations, fantasies, and curiosities will better prepare us to fully live our lives. Mitch Albom in his famous novel “Tuesdays with Morrie” says “when you learn to die, you learn to live”. A better understanding of the reality of death perhaps helps us to maturely accept that this is part of our being. Painful it may seem, but we should be open-minded to accept that we only have days to live in this temporal residence and sooner or later we will go back to our final abode.

Be prepared!

“Tension of Opposite”

Love and hate; good and evil; matter and form – These are some opposing realities in the world which perhaps can never be joined in equal degree and frequency. In principle, one must be superior to the other. These concepts have been unconsciously instilled in our minds, though sometimes correct, but, I think, this would not be accepted as a general truth. If you are influence with such ancient mentality, I was never exempted being imprisoned with such a myopic impression.
When I decided to leave the seminary, I tried to prepare myself to live in the real world, a world of vulnerability and competition. With my little experience, I was quite afraid to leave the portals of the seminary with the thought of how am I going to strike the balance of maintaining my spirituality while striving to search and work for a living. There is an evident tension between life in the ‘outside world’ in contrast with the microcosm of the seminary in which I accustomed to live.
I am now working here in Starjed- a micro finance company whose aim is to provide assistance for those people who wants to start small business for living. But mind you, this is not just an ordinary finance company. Starjed is so peculiar, which, at first, caused me to be amazed since it is not just simply a lending company but it also concerns on spiritual enrichment to its employees and clients. It is a worldly business who wants to help people not only their worldly affairs but more so in their spiritual journey to life. This is a rare reality to think, much more to believe in that every employee is not only preoccupied with business works but they also spend quality time for prayer and meditation. My presence in Starjed is a reason for me to admit that I was absolutely wrong with my preconceive ideas that worldly and spiritual things can never be intertwined.
When people hear Starjed, especially here in Surigao City, this might cause some elements of discussion as to its identity. Again, the tension of opposite is very much obvious; a tension between being worldly yet spiritually known; profit based yet service oriented company. Starjed is gradually working on her outreach programs helping our less privilege brethren alleviate their present sufferings and needs. The music ministry of Starjed is also exceptional as they render their service in singing liturgical songs during Eucharistic celebrations in the Church. We are not the one who made this identity; it is really the people who come in contact with us coined such distinct character. And the company is so blessed of having been known by people of Surigao not solely as a corporate institution but a company committed to collaborate in making real the reign of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
“To God be all the Glory” – a guiding principle of all the employees of Starjed which somewhat has a close paradigm of my patron saint St. Ignatius of Loyola with his famous line “Ad Majorem Die Gloriam” and perhaps the reason why I was employed here in this prestigious company. This principle have been concretely translated in our corporate purpose statement - “To glorify God by being faithful stewards of all that is entrusted to us, to have a positive influence of all who have contact with Starjed”. All these have the same common ground – SERVICE. To offer service to others for God’s greater glory, motivated by love in extending more and doing more than what is expected without counting the cost with the hope that others may take courage to do the same.
Indeed, two opposing realities to be joined are never impossible. Yes, there is an existing tension between material and spiritual things; a visible empty gap in the middle yet an avenue for God to manifest His presence. It is on this seemingly void space where mysteries come in, a sacred space that connects us to God. How wonderful it is to realize and be reminded that our mundane affairs can be and should be accompanied by our full dedication in serving God in whatever manner we can. By doings so, our responsibility as co-creator of God’s wondrous creation is highly exercise and at the same time, reap the fruits of our labors, with hearts full of gratitude, as we acknowledge God’s manifold grace working in our lives. DEO GRATIAS!

“Overcoming Credential Biases” - 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time

“Too much familiarity bridge contempt” - Jesus himself is not exempted of all biases and disdain by the people who really know Him because of His own credentials and family background. ‘Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary?” Jesus’ experience of rejection by his countrymen would foreshadow the events that would take place in Jerusalem at the end of His earthly ministry. Jesus would experience betrayal by one apostle and denial by another. He would be mocked by His own people who could cry out for His crucifixion. All these He would endure so that we might have life and have it to the full.
Perhaps, it is inevitable that sometimes other people would ridicule or put us down because of who we are and what we have. Always remember, WE ARE NEVER ALONE! Jesus stands with us in our times of trial, giving us the grace to endure patiently with our sufferings. For him, human weakness is not so much a negative connotation but rather an avenue for God’s power to work in our lives; for whenever we are weak, then we are strong.
The gospel also reminds us to respect each individual with dignity regardless of his/her own credential.

The Power Called NOW

Im back!!! Nakakita ra jud ko time nga magsulat! Heheheh… This is my first time to write my personal experience after I decided to leave the place where I love most and where I discover my passion for writing – SEMINARY. Mao ni ga-sulat ko kay gimingaw nako mag-sulat. I really miss the joy of writing my own stories even if other people may not be fascinated with it… bahala mo basta magsulat ko…bwahahaha!!! I just wanted to quench my thirst for writing… hmmp, dili lang diay BEER ang makapa-uhaw nako!!!

I am now in the ‘outside world’ trying to compete with the competition called life. Life is indeed is somewhat an Olympics. Sounds PAULINE, isn’t it?! This is very much true. Life outside the seminary is always a ‘RUSH’ and those who run fast will surely win. I tried to prepare myself for this reality when I was still in the seminary but it seems that my preparation is not enough. The life in the ‘outside world’ is in contrast with the microcosm of the seminary in which I was accustomed to live.

After I left the seminary, I had hard time adjusting my schedules and quite busy searching for a living. Now, I am presently employed as a medical representative in a certain pharmaceutical company with a compensating salary and a private car for my mobilization (sosyal nuh?!) My work right now is a great shift from my previous kind of life. From poverty to luxury…char lang! From wearing ordinary shirts and plain clothes, now wearing somewhat executive suits..basta, sosi ang dating… From giving talks and recollections to students, now meeting and talking to doctors, nurses and pharmacists. From studying the dogmas and teachings of the church now I am quite busy memorizing generic names of the products and its components. From memorizing important verses in the bible to support some theological truths and arguments, now I find myself busy computing figures as a proof of my sales each day. My present work maximizes my passion to be with the people not just to those who are active in the parish but now extended to the people working in the medical field.

The work was great and full of excitement yet very much tiring. One essential thing that captured my attention and perhaps caused me to be discouraged was the realization that all relationship in the world of marketing was all superficial and shallow. In the corporate world, what matters most are figures…sales… money. Friendships are all secondary. You have to build relationship to prospect clients because you want something from them not because you like them. It is not about relationship but salesmanship. I am totally naïve in this field and therefore needs bigger adjustments on my part. It is so tempting to look back my seminary days with all its comforts and joys and blame myself of refusing to continue what I have started. I could still be enjoying such privilege if I did not decide to leave the seminary. But this is not what motivates my vocation to priesthood; that is why I am so happy of having this gift of courage to decide on my own and walk the path of uncertainty. This is not only for my own sake but for my beloved diocese as well. Though I am outside the structure of the seminary, I am still hopeful to be ordained at the right time with God’s grace and mercy.

My absence in the seminary does not mean taking the opposite but rather making the best way towards priesthood. I am contented of where I am right now, experiencing the fruitful yet challenging life outside the seminary that eventually pave the way to a more mature priesthood. This is the beauty of ‘PRESENT’; a good preparation of what is to come. This is the power called NOW. †